Memory device with a sense amplifier
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorsGary R. Gilliam, Steve G. Renfro, Kacey Cutler, Roland Ochoa, Craig E. Schneider
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A circuit for a sense amplifier (14) for use with a memory device (10). The circuit includes two devices (40 and 42) that are controlled by a selector (44). The first device (40) drives the sense amplifier (14) with a first current level. The second device (42) drives the sense amplifier (14) with a second current level, different from the first current level. The selector (44) is coupled to the first and second devices (40 and 42) so as to selectively couple one of the first and second devices (40 and 42) to the sense amplifier (14) based on a power supply voltage of the memory device (10).
Claims19
A circuit for a sense amplifier for use with a memory device operable under varied power supply voltages, the circuit comprising:
- a first device that is operable to drive the sense amplifier with a first current level;
- a second device that is operable to drive the sense amplifier with a second current level, different from the first current level;
- and
- a selector coupled to the first and second devices for selectively coupling the first and second devices to the sense amplifier based on the power supply voltage of the memory device.
A memory device, comprising:
- a plurality of storage cells each coupled to a row line and a column line;
- row addressing circuitry coupled to the row lines for selecting a row for a storage cell;
- column addressing circuitry coupled to the column lines for selecting a column for the selected storage cell;
- and
- a sense amplifier coupled to a column line that detects the voltage stored in the selected storage cell, the sense amplifier including a circuit comprising:
- a first device that is operable to drive the sense amplifier with a first current level;
- a second device that is operable;
- to drive the sense amplifier with a second current level, different from the first current level;
- and
- a selector coupled to the first and second devices for selectively coupling one of the first and second devices to the sense amplifier based on a power supply voltage of the memory device.
A method for controlling a sense amplifier in a memory device, comprising the steps of:
- determining the power supply voltage;
- driving the sense amplifier with a first device at a first current level when the power supply voltage is low;
- and
- driving the sense amplifier with a second device at a second current level, different from the first current level when the power supply voltage is high.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.