The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 08, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2002
Aaron M. Baum, Meridian, ID (US);
Karl L. Major, Boise, ID (US);
Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for equilibrating paired digit lines and sense amplifier input of a memory device, particularly useful where one side of a memory array contains a defect. A pair of isolation circuits is arranged on either side of a sense amplifier between the sense amplifier and respective digit lines pairs from two memory arrays. By selectively enabling one and then the other of the isolation circuits in a multiplexed fashion, the single equilibrate circuit located between one of the isolation circuits of the sense amplifier can separately and sequentially equilibrate both pairs of digit lines. In addition, both isolation circuits can be disabled isolating the sense amplifier from all digit lines allowing the sense amplifier to be separately equilibrated.