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:
Jan. 13, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 01, 2005
Alberto Taddeo, Arenzano, IT;
Alberto Taddeo, Arenzano, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.R.L., Agrate Brianza (MI), IT;
Abstract
A sense amplifier for reading a memory cell is provided. The sense amplifier includes a first input branch for applying a biasing voltage to the memory cell through regulation means and for receiving a first input current indicative of a state of the memory cell, the regulation means including a first controlled element having a voltage-controlled conductivity and a control element for applying a first control voltage corresponding to the first input current to the first controlled element, and sensing means for determining the state of the memory cell according to a comparison between the first input current and a reference value; the sensing means includes a second input branch including a second controlled element (M), shifting means () for applying a second control voltage equal to the first control voltage shifted by a predetermined offset to the second controlled element, a second input current corresponding to the second control voltage flowing through the second input branch, and comparison means for comparing the second input current with the reference value.