Semiconductor memory

Claim 1

A semiconductor memory formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising: a pair of data lines disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to each other; a plurality of word lines, each of which is arranged so as to intersect with both of said pair of data lines; a plurality of memory cells, each of which is coupled to one of said word lines and one of said pair of data lines at the cross point thereof, each memory cell having an address terminal connected to the corresponding word line which it is coupled to so that each word line is connected to the address terminal of only one memory cell, wherein each memory cell also has a data terminal connected to the corresponding data line which it is coupled to; each said memory cell including a MISFET having a gate electrode coupled to said address terminal, a first electrode coupled to said data terminal and a second electrode coupled to a capacitor; selecting means coupled to said plurality of word lines including means for selecting one memory cell from said plurality of memory cells and means for placing said plurality of memory cells in a non-selected state; amplifier means coupled to said pair of data lines for amplifying a potential difference which appears between said data lines in response to selection of one memory cell from said plurality of memory cells by said selecting means, said sense amplifier comprising first and second circuits; said first circuit including a pair of cross-coupled N-channel MISFETs coupled to said pair of data lines for bringing about a differential amplification operation, and an N-channel MISFET coupled on a source side of said cross-coupled N-channel MISFETs for controlling the differential amplification operation of said cross-coupled N-channel MISFETs; said second circuit including a pair of cross-coupled P-channel MISFETs coupled to said pair of data lines for bringing about a differential amplification operation, and a P-channel MISFET coupled on a source side of said cross-coupled P-channel MISFETs for controlling the differential amplification operation of said cross-coupled P-channel MISFETs; means for supplying first and second timing signals to gates of said controlling N-channel and P-channel MISFETs, respectively, so that the differential amplification operation of said cross-coupled N-channel MISFETs is started at a time different from the time when the differential amplification operation of said cross-coupled P-channel MISFETs is started; and precharging means for setting said pair of data lines at a potential intermediate between potentials on said pair of data lines obtained by operating said amplifier means after said selecting means places said plurality of memory cells in a non-selected state.