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:
Jun. 12, 2007
Filed:
Aug. 18, 2005
Riichiro Takemura, Tokyo, JP;
Kiyoo Itoh, Higashikurume, JP;
Tomonori Sekiguchi, Kokubunji, JP;
Takeshi Sakata, Hino, JP;
Katsutaka Kimura, Akishima, JP;
Riichiro Takemura, Tokyo, JP;
Kiyoo Itoh, Higashikurume, JP;
Tomonori Sekiguchi, Kokubunji, JP;
Takeshi Sakata, Hino, JP;
Katsutaka Kimura, Akishima, JP;
Renesas Technology Corp., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A sense amplifier capable of performing high-speed data sense operation with lower power consumption using a minuscule signal from a memory cell even in a case where a memory array voltage is reduced. A plurality of drive switches for over-driving are distributively arranged in a sense amplifier area, and a plurality of drive switches for restore operation are concentratively disposed at one end of a row of the sense amplifiers. A potential for over-driving is supplied using a meshed power line circuit. Through the use of the drive switches for over-driving, initial sense operation can be performed on data line pairs with a voltage having an amplitude larger than a data-line amplitude, allowing implementation of high-speed sense operation. The distributed arrangement of the drive switched for over-driving makes it possible to dispersively supply current in sense operation, thereby reducing a difference in sense voltage with respect to far and near positions of the sense amplifiers.