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:
Nov. 02, 2010
Filed:
Mar. 23, 2007
Michele LA Placa, Cefalú, IT;
Ignazio Martines, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
Michele La Placa, Cefalú, IT;
Ignazio Martines, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.R.L., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A sensing circuit for a semiconductor memory, includes, a detecting amplifier including a first circuital branch is run through by a first current corresponding to the sum of a second current as a function of a comparison current and a cell current. The cell current is a function of a state of a memory cell to be read in a predetermined biasing condition. A second circuital branch is coupled as a current mirror configuration with the first circuital branch. The second circuital branch is run through by a third current proportional to the first current. A third circuital branch coupled to the second branch sinks a fourth current as a function of the comparison current. A fourth circuital branch coupled to is run through by a residual current equal to the difference between the third and the fourth current. The residual current assumes different values depending on the fact that the cell current is lower, equal or higher than the comparison current. A residual current sensitive means generates an indication of the state of the memory cell as a function of a value of the residual current.