Method and configuration to allow a lower wordline boosted voltage operation while increasing a sensing signal with access transistor threshold voltage

Abstract

A memory array architecture employs a full Vdd bitline precharged voltage and a low wordline boost voltage, which is less than Vdd plus the threshold voltage of the access transistor. In a write mode, a first low level of a data bit is almost fully written to a storage element, however a second high level of the data bit is not fully written to the storage element. In a read mode, the first low level of the data bit is fully read out from the storage element, however the second high level of the data bit is not read out by utilizing the access transistor threshold voltage. This allows a sensing signal only with the first voltage level transfer to the Vdd precharged BL. A reference WL is preferably used for generating a reference bitline voltage for a differential Vdd sensing scheme. Alternatively, a single BL digital sensing scheme may be used. Lowering the wordline voltage results in a reduction in power consumption by saving power on Vpp generator and support circuits, and a reduction in the size of the Vpp generator and support circuits, and also eliminates high Vpp voltage related problems such as dielectric breakdown and other reliability concerns while avoiding a complex decoding scheme and saving cost.