US5229666A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single-ended complementary MOSFET sense amplifier
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1991-10-16
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2011-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A single-ended complementary MOSFET sense amplifier having improved immunity from trip current variations, ground bounce and noise with minimal switching speed degradation includes complementary MOSFET amplifiers and a reference-controlled output amplifier comprising a voltage reference-controlled inverter. Complementary MOSFETs exclusively are used to avoid nonuniform depletion doping effects of NMOS depletion mode FETs. The input stage is designed to require a higher bit line signal voltage amplitude for higher noise immunity. The output stage is a single-ended voltage reference-controlled inverter with reduced sensitivity to CMOS process-induced MOSFET performance variations, and which has a higher input switching threshold for enhanced ground bounce immunity. In a preferred embodiment, the input stage provides voltage level shifting for increasing the dynamic range of the signal driving the output stage, thereby maintaining high switching speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bal S. Sandhu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:45
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/003; H03K19/00346; H03K19/00361; H03K19/00369; H03K19/00384
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A reference-controlled, single-ended sense amplifier, comprising: input amplifier means for receiving and amplifying a signal from a bit line and for providing an amplified input signal representing said bit line signal; and reference-controlled, single-ended amplifier means coupled to said input amplifier means for receiving a reference bias signal and said amplified input signal, and for providing a reference-controlled, single-ended digital output signal representing said bit line signal, wherein said reference-controlled, single-ended amplifier means comprises: a single-ended MOSFET inverter including a driver MOSFET for receiving said amplified input signal and a load MOSFET coupled to said driver MOSFET for receiving said reference bias signal; and a plurality of diode-connected MOSFETs for providing said reference bias signal, wherein said reference bias signal comprises a voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A reference-controlled, single-ended sense amplifier, comprising: input amplifier means for receiving and amplifying a signal from a bit line and for providing an amplified input signal representing said bit line signal; and reference-controlled, single-ended amplifier means coupled to said input amplifier means for receiving a reference bias signal and said amplified input signal, and for providing a reference-controlled, single-ended digital output signal representing said bit line signal, wherein said reference-controlled, single-ended amplifier means comprises: a single-ended MOSFET inverter including a driver MOSFET for receiving said amplified input signal and a load MOSFET coupled to said driver MOSFET for receiving said reference bias signal; and a plurality of diode-connected MOSFETs for providing said reference bias signal, wherein said reference bias signal comprises a voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
A reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET sense amplifier, comprising: complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving and amplifying a signal from a bit line and for providing an amplified input signal representing said bit line signal; and reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means coupled to said complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving a reference bias signal and said amplified input signal, and for providing a reference-controlled, single-ended digital output signal representing said bit line signal, wherein said reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means comprises: a single-ended, complementary MOSFET inverter including a driver MOSFET for receiving aid amplified input signal and a load MOSFET coupled to said driver MOSFET for receiving said reference bias signal; and a plurality of diode-connected MOSFETs for providing said reference bias signal, wherein said reference bias signal comprises a voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET sense amplifier, comprising: complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving and amplifying a signal from a bit line and for providing an amplified input signal representing said bit line signal; and reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means coupled to said complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving a reference bias signal and said amplified input signal, and for providing a reference-controlled, single-ended digital output signal representing said bit line signal, wherein said reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means comprises: a single-ended, complementary MOSFET inverter including a driver MOSFET for receiving aid amplified input signal and a load MOSFET coupled to said driver MOSFET for receiving said reference bias signal; and a plurality of diode-connected MOSFETs for providing said reference bias signal, wherein said reference bias signal comprises a voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET sense amplifier, comprising: complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving and amplifying a signal from a bit line and for providing an amplified input signal representing said bit line signal; and reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means coupled to said complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving a reference-controlled bias signal and said amplified input signal, and for providing a reference-controlled, single-ended digital output signal representing said bit line signal, wherein said reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means comprises: a single-ended, complementary MOSFET inverter including a driver MOSFET for receiving said amplified input signal and said reference-controlled bias signal; and a complementary MOSFET current mirror for providing said reference-controlled bias signal, wherein said reference-controlled bias signal comprises a current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
A reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET sense amplifier, comprising: complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving and amplifying a signal from a bit line and for providing an amplified input signal representing said bit line signal; and reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means coupled to said complementary MOSFET input amplifier means for receiving a reference-controlled bias signal and said amplified input signal, and for providing a reference-controlled, single-ended digital output signal representing said bit line signal, wherein said reference-controlled, single-ended complementary MOSFET amplifier means comprises: a single-ended, complementary MOSFET inverter including a driver MOSFET for receiving said amplified input signal and said reference-controlled bias signal; and a complementary MOSFET current mirror for providing said reference-controlled bias signal, wherein said reference-controlled bias signal comprises a current.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |