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:
May. 07, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 15, 2010
Gianbattista Lo Giudice, Pedara, IT;
Antonino Conte, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
Mario Micciche, Agrigento, IT;
Stefania Rinaldi, Aci Catena, IT;
Gianbattista Lo Giudice, Pedara, IT;
Antonino Conte, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
Mario Micciche, Agrigento, IT;
Stefania Rinaldi, Aci Catena, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A sense-amplifier circuit includes: a comparison stage that compares a cell current that flows in a memory cell and through an associated bitline, with a reference current, for supplying an output signal indicating the state of the memory cell; and a precharging stage, which supplies, during a precharging step prior to the comparison step, a precharging current to the bitline so as to charge a capacitance thereof. The comparison stage includes a first comparison transistor and by a second comparison transistor, which are coupled in current-mirror configuration respectively to a first differential output and to a second differential output, through which a biasing current flows. The precharging stage diverts, during the precharging step, the biasing current towards the bitline as precharging current, and allows, during the comparison step, passage of part of the biasing current towards the first differential output, enabling operation of the current mirror.