Low power voltage sensing circuit

In a single integrated circuit module having an electrically non-volatile memory array storing data, and a programming control logic circuit for controlling the programming of said memory array, wherein the improvement comprising:

• a voltage sensing circuit, for receiving an input voltage signal and for generating an output voltage signal supplied to said programming control logic circuit for enabling or disabling the programming of said memory array, said circuit comprising:
• a sensing node;
• a first transistor means of one conduction type, having two ends and a gate;
• one end connected to receive said input voltage signal, another end connected to said sensing node to provide a sensing signal thereto;
• means for receiving said input voltage signal and for generating a first voltage signal, said first voltage signal lower in voltage than said input voltage signal;
• a second transistor means of one conduction type, having two ends and a gate;
• one end connected to receive said first voltage signal;
• a first voltage source connected to said gate of said first and second transistor means;
• a third transistor means of another conduction type, having two ends and a gate;
• one end connected to said sensing node, said gate connected to another end of said second transistor means;
• a second voltage source connected to said another end of said third transistor means;
• and
• a driver means connected to said sensing node for receiving said sensing signal and for producing said output voltage signal in response thereto.