Noise resistant small signal sensing circuit for a memory device
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorR. Jacob Baker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for data sensing circuitry that uses averaging to sense small differences in signal levels representing data states. The apparatus periodically switches the coupling of input terminals and output terminals of an integrator circuit from a first configuration to a second configuration, where the second configuration changes the polarity of the integrator circuit from the first configuration. The output signals of the integrator circuit are periodically compared, and based on the comparison, output signals having a voltage representative of a value are generated. The values of the output signals are then averaged over time to determine the data state.
Claims5
A method of sensing a data state of a memory cell, comprising:
- periodically switching coupling of input terminals and output terminals of an integrator circuit from a first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration changing polarity of the integrator circuit from the first configuration;
- periodically comparing output signals provided by the integrator circuit;
- based on the comparison, generating an output signal having a voltage representative of a value;
- and
- averaging the value of the output signal over a time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.