Circuit for biasing an input node of a sense amplifier with a pre-charge stage
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsCarla Poidomani, Emanuele Confalonieri, Marco Sforzin, Nicola Del Gatto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A circuit for biasing an input node of a sense amplifier is proposed. The circuit includes a voltage regulator for keeping the input node at a pre-set operative voltage during a sensing operation. The circuit further includes a pulling device for pulling the input node from a starting voltage towards a power supply voltage, the operative voltage being comprised between the starting voltage and the power supply voltage. The circuit also includes a control device for disabling the pulling device before the input node reaches the operative voltage.
Claims20
A circuit for biasing an input node of a sense amplifier, the circuit comprising:
- means for keeping the input node at a pre-set operative voltage during a sensing operation;
- means for pulling the input node from a starting voltage towards a power supply voltage, the operative voltage being comprised between the starting voltage and the power supply voltage;
- and
- control means for disabling the means for pulling before the input node reaches the operative voltage.
A sense amplifier, comprising:
- an input node;
- and
- a circuit for biasing the input node, the circuit including:
- means for keeping the input node at a pre-set operative voltage during a sensing operation;
- means for pulling the input node from a starting voltage towards a power supply voltage, the operative voltage being comprised between the starting voltage and the power supply voltage;
- and
- control means for disabling the means for pulling before the input node reaches the operative voltage.
A non-volatile memory device, comprising:
- a plurality of memory cells;
- and
- a sense amplifier for reading the memory cells, the sense amplifier, including:
- an input node;
- and
- a circuit for biasing the input node, the circuit including:
- means for keeping the input node at a pre-set operative voltage during a sensing operation;
- means for pulling the input node from a starting voltage towards a power supply voltage, the operative voltage being comprised between the starting voltage and the power supply voltage;
- and
- control means for disabling the means for pulling before the input node reaches the operative voltage.
A method of biasing an input node of a sense amplifier, the method comprising the steps of:
- keeping the input node at a pre-set operative voltage during a sensing operation;
- and
- pulling the input node from a starting voltage towards a power supply voltage by use of corresponding means, the operative voltage being comprised between the starting voltage and the power supply voltage;
- and
- disabling the means for pulling before the input node reaches the operative voltage.
A sense amplifier for reading a memory cell, the sense amplifier comprising:
- a comparator;
- and
- a regulator transistor connected between an input of the comparator and an array node connected to the memory cell, the regulator transistor having a control terminal, a first conduction terminal connected to the comparator input, and a second conduction terminal connected to the array node;
- a first bias transistor connected between a supply voltage and the array node;
- and
- a control element connected between the array node and a control terminal of the first bias transistor, and structured to turn off the first bias transistor in response to a voltage of the array node achieving a threshold voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.