US4238841A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic semiconductor memory read/write access circuit
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1979-12-14
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Granted: 1980-12-09
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Expires: 1999-12-14
Abstract
Abstract To the known sense latch already existing in a bit line pair in an FET memory, and to the two bit switches in each bit line another latch is arranged in series which furthermore is coupled to the common data input and output via a write driver on the one side and a read driver on the other. Both latches are of an identical structure and controlled by the same pulses in the read as well as in the write phase. The data path via the write driver and the read driver up to, or from, the additional latch is respectively designed as unidirectional double rail line, and selectively connectable via the bit switches with the bidirectional double rail line to the respective bit line pair.
Inventors
- 👤 Rainer Clemen
- 👤 Joerg Gschwendtner
- 👤 Werner Haug
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:23
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/401; G11C11/4063; G11C11/407; G11C11/409; G11C11/4096; G11C11/403; G11C11/404
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
A read/write circuit for a memory system including a matrix of dynamic memory cells arranged in columns and rows, each cell having a pair of capacitive storage nodes capable of being simultaneously coupled to a dual-rail column line in response to an addressable row selection signal, a dynamic cross-coupled sense latch circuit connected to each of said dual-rail column lines for detecting and amplifying signals coupled to said column lines and a bit switch, associated with each of said column lines, responsive to an addressable column selection signal, the improvement comprising: a plurality of dynamic cross-coupled input/output data latches; a dual-rail data line coupled to each of said input/output latches and to at least some of said bit switches; a write driver circuit having an input terminal and including a dynamic cross-coupled latch coupled to each of said dual-rail data lines, said write driver being responsive to a data input signal and a first clock signal to provide for the selective discharge of one of the lines of said dual rail data line; a read driver circuit, having a single output terminal, coupled to each of said dual-rail data lines and comprising a push-pull output driver, said output driver being responsive to a differential data signal established on said dual-rail data line; means for enabling said sense latch circuits in response to a second clock signal subsequent to said first clock signal, said column selection signal and said row sectional signal; means for enabling said input/output latch subsequent to said sense latch; and means for independently enabling only one of said write driver and said read driver during a memory cycle whereby only one of said read and write drivers is enabled in conjunction with the enabling of said sense latches and said input/output latches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
295 words
A read/write circuit for a memory system including a matrix of dynamic memory cells arranged in columns and rows, each cell having a pair of capacitive storage nodes capable of being simultaneously coupled to a dual-rail column line in response to an addressable row selection signal, a dynamic cross-coupled sense latch circuit connected to each of said dual-rail column lines for detecting and amplifying signals coupled to said column lines and a bit switch, associated with each of said column lines, responsive to an addressable column selection signal, the improvement comprising: a plurality of dynamic cross-coupled input/output data latches; a dual-rail data line coupled to each of said input/output latches and to at least some of said bit switches; a write driver circuit having an input terminal and including a dynamic cross-coupled latch coupled to each of said dual-rail data lines, said write driver being responsive to a data input signal and a first clock signal to provide for the selective discharge of one of the lines of said dual rail data line; a read driver circuit, having a single output terminal, coupled to each of said dual-rail data lines and comprising a push-pull output driver, said output driver being responsive to a differential data signal established on said dual-rail data line; means for enabling said sense latch circuits in response to a second clock signal subsequent to said first clock signal, said column selection signal and said row sectional signal; means for enabling said input/output latch subsequent to said sense latch; and means for independently enabling only one of said write driver and said read driver during a memory cycle whereby only one of said read and write drivers is enabled in conjunction with the enabling of said sense latches and said input/output latches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein said dynamic cross-coupled sense and input/output latches each comprise first and second field effect transistors having their gate and drain electrodes cross-coupled and having their source electrodes coupled to a common node which in turn is coupled to a source of potential by a third field effect transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The circuit of claim 2 further including dual-rail line precharge means coupled to each of said dual-rail column lines and to each of said dual-rail data lines comprising fourth and fifth field effect transistors coupled between the respective rails of said dual-rail lines and a second source of potential and a sixth field effect transistor coupled between said rails of said lines, the gate electrodes of all of said fourth, fifth and sixth transistors being responsive to a clock signal occurring at a time other than that during which said sense latch and said data latch are enabled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit of claim 3 wherein a common single rail data terminal is provided between the input terminal of said write driver circuit and the output terminal of said read driver circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The circuit of claim 4 wherein each of said dynamic memory cells comprises essentially a single field effect transistor coupled between each of said capacitive storage nodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-06-09 | 1984-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-09 | 1988-06-09 | 1988-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-09 | 1992-06-09 | 1992-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |