Small signal, low power read data bus driver for integrated circuit devices incorporating memory arrays
AssigneesUnited Memories, Inc., Sony Corporation
InventorsKim Carver Hardee, Michael Curtis Parris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A small signal, low power read data bus driver for integrated circuit devices incorporating memory arrays which advantageously utilizes non-precharged data lines and reduced output voltage swing to reduce power requirements, tri-stateable outputs to allow several circuits to be multiplexed on the same data line and provides a buffer between the sense amplifier and the data lines to improve data line switching speed.
Claims14
A read data path for a dynamic random access memory comprising:
- a pair of read data lines;
- a pair of local read data lines;
- a pair of bit lines;
- a pair of latched bit lines;
- a read amplifier coupled between the pair of local read data lines and the pair of latched bit lines;
- a sense amplifier coupled between the pair of latched bit lines;
- and
- a local read data driver coupled between at least one of the read data lines and the local read data lines.
A read data path for a dynamic random access memory comprising:
- a pair of read data lines;
- a pair of local read data lines;
- and
- a local read data driver having an input coupled to at least one of the local read data lines, a tri-state output coupled to at least one of the read data lines, an input circuit coupled between the pair of local read data lines and further including an input for receiving a control signal, an output circuit having first and second inputs and an output coupled to one of the pair of read data lines, a first transmission gate coupled between one of the pair of local read data lines and the first input of the output circuit, and a second transmission gate coupled between one of the pair of local read data lines and the second input of the output circuit.
In a read data path for a dynamic random access memory including a pair of read data lines, a pair of local read data lines, a pair of bit lines, a pair of latched bit lines, a read amplifier coupled between the pair of local read data lines and the pair of latched bit lines, and a sense amplifier coupled between the pair of latched bit lines, a method for driving the read data lines comprising:
- driving a signal on the local read data lines onto the read data lines;
- selectively electrically isolating the local read data lines from the read data lines;
- and
- limiting the output voltage swing on the read data lines to a threshold voltage less than the power supply voltage level.
A read data path for a dynamic random access memory comprising:
- a pair of read data lines;
- a pair of local read data lines;
- and
- a local read data driver having an input coupled to at least one of the local read data lines, a tri-state output coupled to at least one of the read data lines, and means for providing a reduced logic voltage swing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.