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. 25, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 03, 2004
Sheree Chou, Taipei, TW;
Lung-yi Chueh, Taoyuan, TW;
Yu-shen Lin, Taipei, TW;
Macronix International Co., Ltd., Hsinchu, TW;
Abstract
An integrated circuit memory array with an extra column of memory cells and a reference bit line is provided, in which the reference bit line acts as a reference for a shared precharging and clamping control on the bit lines in the array. Clamp transistors are coupled to respective bit lines in the array, and adapted to prevent voltage on the respective bit lines from exceeding a target level. A comparator has an input coupled to the reference bit line and an output coupled to the clamp transistors on the plurality of bit lines. The comparator generates a bias voltage which turns on the clamp transistors at a first bias level when the reference bit line has a voltage below the target level, and a second bias level, which is lower than the first bias level, when the reference bit line has a voltage near the target level.