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:
Dec. 16, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 15, 2003
Oron Michael, Netanya, IL;
Ilan Sever, Kfar-Vitkin, IL;
STMicroelectronics, Inc., Carrollton, TX (US);
Abstract
A sense amplifier circuit and method are disclosed for nonvolatile memory devices, such as flash memory devices. The sense amplifier circuit includes a current source that is configurable to source any of at least two nonzero current levels in the sense amplifier circuit. The sense amplifier circuit is controlled by control circuitry in the nonvolatile memory device so that each sense amplifier circuit sources a first current level during the precharge cycle of a memory read operation, and a second current level, greater than the first current level, during the memory cell sense operation. In this way, the sense amplifier circuit consumes less power during the memory read operation without an appreciable loss in performance.
Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile