U.S. patent application number 10/175271 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for memory device with sense amp equilibration circuit.
Invention is credited to Joo, Yangsung.
Application Number | 20030235102 10/175271 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29733820 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030235102 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joo, Yangsung |
December 25, 2003 |
MEMORY DEVICE WITH SENSE AMP EQUILIBRATION CIRCUIT
Abstract
A device includes first and second data lines, a memory cell, a
sense amp, equilibration circuitry, and sense amp equilibration
circuitry. The memory cell is coupled to the first and second data
lines. The sense amp is coupled to the data lines. The sense amp
includes sensing circuitry configured to detect a voltage on the
data lines corresponding to charge stored in the memory cell, a
first activation line coupled between the sensing circuitry and a
pullup voltage source, and a second activation line coupled between
the sensing circuitry and a pulldown voltage source. The
equilibration circuitry is configured to ground the first
activation line and equilibrate the second activation line
responsive to an assertion of an equilibrate signal. The sense amp
equilibration circuitry is configured to equilibrate the first
activation line responsive to an assertion of a sense amp
equilibration signal prior to an activation of the second
activation line.
Inventors: |
Joo, Yangsung; (Boise,
ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAMS, MORGAN & AMERSON, P.C.
10333 RICHMOND, SUITE 1100
HOUSTON
TX
77042
US
|
Family ID: |
29733820 |
Appl. No.: |
10/175271 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
365/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 7/12 20130101; G11C
7/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
365/207 |
International
Class: |
G11C 007/02 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A device, comprising: first and second data lines; a memory cell
coupled to at least one of the first and second data lines; a sense
amp coupled to the data lines, the sense amp comprising: sensing
circuitry configured to detect a voltage on the data lines
corresponding to charge stored in the memory cell; a first
activation line coupled between the sensing circuitry and a pullup
voltage source; and a second activation line coupled between the
sensing circuitry and a pulldown voltage source; equilibration
circuitry configured to ground the first activation line and
equilibrate the second activation line responsive to an assertion
of an equilibrate signal; and sense amp equilibration circuitry
configured to equilibrate the first activation line responsive to
an assertion of a sense amp equilibration signal prior to an
activation of the second activation line.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sense amp equilibration
circuitry further comprises a transistor coupled between the first
activation line and an equilibration voltage source, the transistor
having a gate input terminal coupled to receive the sense amp
equilibration signal.
3. The device of claim 2, further comprising logic configured to
deassert the equilibrate signal prior to a read cycle of the device
and assert the sense amp equilibration signal after the deassertion
of the equilibrate signal and the before initiating the read
cycle.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the logic is further configured
to assert the equilibration signal and the sense amp equilibration
signal after completion of the read cycle.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein the equilibration voltage source
has a voltage that is about half the voltage of the pullup voltage
source.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensing circuitry includes: a
first transistor coupled between the first activation line and the
first data line and having a gate input terminal coupled to the
second data line; a second transistor coupled between the first
activation line and the second data line and having a gate input
terminal coupled to the first data line; a third transistor coupled
between the second activation line and the first data line and
having a gate input terminal coupled to the second data line; and a
fourth transistor coupled between the second activation line and
the second data line and having a gate input terminal coupled to
the first data line.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first transistor
coupled between the pullup voltage source and the first activation
line and having a gate input terminal coupled to receive a pullup
enable signal.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the sense amp equilibration
circuitry further comprises second and third transistors coupled
between the first activation line and an equilibration voltage
source, one of the second and third transistors having a gate input
terminal coupled to receive the sense amp equilibration signal and
the other of the second and third transistors having a gate input
terminal coupled to receive the pullup enable signal, the one of
the second and third transistors having the gate input terminal
coupled to receive the pullup enable signal being enabled
responsive to the pullup enable signal being in a deasserted
state.
9. The device of claim 8, further comprising logic configured to
deassert the equilibrate signal and the pullup enable signal prior
to a read cycle of the device, assert the sense amp equilibration
signal after the deassertion of the equilibrate signal, and assert
the pullup enable signal after assertion of the sense amp
equilibration signal.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the logic is further configured
to assert the equilibration signal, assert the sense amp
equilibration signal, and deassert the pullup enable signal after
completion of the read cycle.
11. A device, comprising: first and second data lines; a memory
cell coupled to at least one of the first and second data lines; a
sense amp coupled to the data lines, the sense amp comprising: a
first activation line coupled to a pullup voltage source; a second
activation line coupled to pulldown voltage source; a first
transistor coupled between the first activation line and the first
data line and having a gate input terminal coupled to the second
data line; a second transistor coupled between the first activation
line and the second data line and having a gate input terminal
coupled to the first data line; a third transistor coupled between
the second activation line and the first data line and having a
gate input terminal coupled to the second data line; and a fourth
transistor coupled between the second activation line and the
second data line and having a gate input terminal coupled to the
first data line. equilibration circuitry configured to ground the
first activation line and equilibrate the second activation line
responsive to an assertion of an equilibrate signal; and sense amp
equilibration circuitry configured to equilibrate the first
activation line responsive to an assertion of a sense amp
equilibration signal prior to an activation of the second
activation line.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the sense amp equilibration
circuitry further comprises a fifth transistor coupled between the
first activation line and an equilibration voltage source, the
fifth transistor having a gate input terminal coupled to receive
the sense amp equilibration signal.
13. The device of claim 12, further comprising logic configured to
deassert the equilibrate signal prior to a read cycle of the device
and assert the sense amp equilibration signal after the deassertion
of the equilibrate signal and the before initiating the read
cycle.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the logic is further configured
to assert the equilibration signal and the sense amp equilibration
signal after completion of the read cycle.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the equilibration voltage
source has a voltage that is about half the voltage of the pullup
voltage source.
16. The device of claim 11, further comprising a fifth transistor
coupled between the pullup voltage source and the first activation
line and having a gate input terminal coupled to receive a pullup
enable signal.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the sense amp equilibration
circuitry further comprises sixth and seventh transistors coupled
between the first activation line and an equilibration voltage
source, one of the sixth and seventh transistors having a gate
input terminal coupled to receive the sense amp equilibration
signal and the other of the sixth and seventh transistors having a
gate input terminal coupled to receive the pullup enable signal,
the one of the sixth and seventh transistors having the gate input
terminal coupled to receive the pullup enable signal being enabled
responsive to the pullup enable signal being in a deasserted
state.
18. The device of claim 17, further comprising logic configured to
deassert the equilibrate signal and the pullup enable signal prior
to a read cycle of the device, assert the sense amp equilibration
signal after the deassertion of the equilibrate signal, and assert
the pullup enable signal after assertion of the sense amp
equilibration signal.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the logic is further configured
to assert the equilibration signal, assert the sense amp
equilibration signal, and deassert the pullup enable signal after
completion of the read cycle.
20. A method for reading a memory cell, comprising: providing a
memory cell coupled to at least one of first and second data lines;
providing sensing circuitry for sensing a voltage on the data lines
corresponding to charge stored in the memory cell; coupling a first
activation line between the sensing circuitry and a pullup voltage
source; coupling a second activation line between the sensing
circuitry and a pulldown voltage source; grounding the first
activation line and equilibrating the second activation line
responsive to an assertion of an equilibrate signal; and
equilibrating the first activation line responsive to an assertion
of a sense amp equilibration signal prior to a read cycle of the
device.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the sense amp equilibration
circuitry further comprises a transistor coupled between the first
activation line and an equilibration voltage source, the transistor
having a gate input terminal coupled to receive the sense amp
equilibration signal.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: deasserting the
equilibrate signal prior to a read cycle; and asserting the sense
amp equilibration signal after the deassertion of the equilibrate
signal and the before initiation of the read cycle.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising asserting the
equilibration signal and the sense amp equilibration signal after
completion of the read cycle.
24. The method of claim 20, further comprising coupling the pullup
voltage source to the first activation line responsive to an
assertion of a pullup enable signal.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising coupling the pullup
voltage source to the first activation line responsive to an
assertion of a pullup enable signal and a deassertion of the pullup
enable signal.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: deasserting the
equilibrate signal and the pullup enable signal prior to a read
cycle of the device; asserting the sense amp equilibration signal
after the deassertion of the equilibrate signal; and asserting the
pullup enable signal after assertion of the sense amp equilibration
signal.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising asserting the
equilibration signal, asserting the sense amp equilibration signal,
and deasserting the pullup enable signal after completion of the
read cycle.
28. A computer system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device
coupled to the processor, the memory device comprising: first and
second data lines; a memory cell coupled to at least one of the
first and second data lines; a sense amp coupled to the data lines,
the sense amp comprising: sensing circuitry configured to detect a
voltage on the data lines corresponding to charge stored in the
memory cell; a first activation line coupled between the sensing
circuitry and a pullup voltage source; and a second activation line
coupled between the sensing circuitry and a pulldown voltage
source; equilibration circuitry configured to ground the first
activation line and equilibrate the second activation line
responsive to an assertion of an equilibrate signal; and sense amp
equilibration circuitry configured to equilibrate the first
activation line responsive to an assertion of a sense amp
equilibration signal prior to an activation of the second
activation line.
29. The computer system of claim 28, wherein the sense amp
equilibration circuitry further comprises a transistor coupled
between the first activation line and an equilibration voltage
source, the transistor having a gate input terminal coupled to
receive the sense amp equilibration signal.
30. The computer system of claim 29, further comprising logic
configured to deassert the equilibrate signal prior to a read cycle
of the memory device and assert the sense amp equilibration signal
after the deassertion of the equilibrate signal and the before
initiating the read cycle.
31. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the logic is further
configured to assert the equilibration signal and the sense amp
equilibration signal after completion of the read cycle.
32. The computer system of claim 29, wherein the equilibration
voltage source has a voltage that is about half the voltage of the
pullup voltage source.
33. The computer system of claim 28, wherein the sensing circuitry
includes: a first transistor coupled between the first activation
line and the first data line and having a gate input terminal
coupled to the second data line; a second transistor coupled
between the first activation line and the second data line and
having a gate input terminal coupled to the first data line; a
third transistor coupled between the second activation line and the
first data line and having a gate input terminal coupled to the
second data line; and a fourth transistor coupled between the
second activation line and the second data line and having a gate
input terminal coupled to the first data line.
34. The computer system of claim 28, further comprising a first
transistor coupled between the pullup voltage source and the first
activation line and having a gate input terminal coupled to receive
a pullup enable signal.
35. The computer system of claim 34, wherein the sense amp
equilibration circuitry further comprises second and third
transistors coupled between the first activation line and an it
equilibration voltage source, one of the second and third
transistors having a gate input terminal coupled to receive the
sense amp equilibration signal and the other of the second and
third transistors having a gate input terminal coupled to receive
the pullup enable signal, the one of the second and third
transistors having the gate input terminal coupled to receive the
pullup enable signal being enabled responsive to the pullup enable
signal being in a deasserted state.
36. The computer system of claim 35, further comprising logic
configured to deassert the equilibrate signal and the pullup enable
signal prior to a read cycle of the memory device, assert the sense
amp equilibration signal after the deassertion of the equilibrate
signal, and assert the pullup enable signal after assertion of the
sense amp equilibration signal.
37. The computer system of claim 36, wherein the logic is further
configured to assert the equilibration signal, assert the sense amp
equilibration signal, and deassert the pullup enable signal after
completion of the read cycle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of integrated
memory circuits and, more particularly, to a memory device with
sense amp equilibration circuit.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Memory circuits, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM)
arrays, have increased in complexity and density over time. With
such increased density and complexity, it is very likely that one
or more shorts will occur between a word line (generally referred
to as a "row" within the array) and a data line (generally referred
to as a "column" within the array).
[0005] A row-to-column short typically is a point defect that
shorts together a particular row line to a perpendicular data line.
Such a defect generally ruins the integrity of both the row and
column. Spare rows and columns are created within the DRAM array in
combination with address redirection circuitry to substitute
functional spare rows and columns for those that are shorted, at
least to the extent that shorted rows and columns do not exceed the
number of spare rows and columns. Even though this on-chip
redundancy allows for the repair of a DRAM integrated circuit
device, it is important to note that the shorted columns and rows
are not disconnected from the array circuitry. The shorted columns
and rows are merely no longer addressed by the array's address
decode circuitry. Disconnection of the shorted rows and columns
from the array circuitry is impractical with presently available
technology due to the small pitch used to fabricate DRAM arrays.
Schemes for implementing row and column redundancy in DRAM arrays
are well known in the art.
[0006] The repair of row to column shorts through redirected
addressing does not eliminate the presence of shorts within the
array, nor does it eliminate the potential for biased voltage pull
down with the attendant problems of excessive standby current,
read/write operations resulting in invalid data and possible damage
to cell capacitors within the array. For example, one serious
problem is that of an increase in the quiescent standby current
because of a defect in the circuit. In standby mode, all the row
lines are actively held to ground, while the digits are ideally
held to an intermediate supply voltage known as DVC2 (i.e., half of
the operating voltage VCC) in anticipation of a new access. The
row-to-column short therefore acts to short DVC2 to ground, giving
a much higher standby current than is otherwise necessary or
desired. Since such short defects cannot be eradicated entirely,
large DRAM arrays have resorted to the use of "bleeder" circuits,
which act to limit the amount of supply current that actively holds
a digit line to DVC2.
[0007] As DRAM array sizes grow, however, row-to-column shorts
become more prevalent. As such, there is a desire to reduce the
standby current even further to allow the use of dice with a
substantial number of row/column shorts and to keep the quiescent
standby current in a more tightly controlled range. An exemplary
memory device with a bleeder circuit is described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,078,538, entitled ""METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING BLEED
CURRENTS WITHIN A DRAM ARRAY HAVING ROW-TO-ROW COLUMN SHORTS," and
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0008] One potential limitation regarding the use of a bleeder
circuit is that in some implementations the speed of the sense amp
circuitry used to sense the value stored in the memory cells may be
reduced. The sense amp circuit typically has activation lines used
to activate the data lines responsive to the values stored in the
memory cells. To reduce standby currents, one of the activation
lines may be grounded prior to a memory read cycle. The signal on
the grounded activation line must then pass the entire range from
ground to VCC to pull the data line to the desired state. The need
for this full range swing reduces the response time of the sense
amp circuitry. As operating voltages decrease, the sense amp
circuit becomes slower, because of the lower NMOS gate-to-source
voltage (V.sub.GS).
[0009] The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least
reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth
above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] One aspect of the present invention is seen in a device
including first and second data lines, a memory cell, a sense amp,
equilibration circuitry, and sense amp equilibration circuitry. The
memory cell is coupled to the first and second data lines. The
sense amp is coupled to the data lines. The sense amp includes
sensing circuitry configured to detect a voltage on the data lines
corresponding to charge stored in the memory cell, a first
activation line coupled between the sensing circuitry and a pullup
voltage source, and a second activation line coupled between the
sensing circuitry and a pulldown voltage source. The equilibration
circuitry is configured to ground the first activation line and
equilibrate the second activation line responsive to an assertion
of an equilibrate signal. The sense amp equilibration circuitry is
configured to equilibrate the first activation line responsive to
an assertion of a sense amp equilibration signal prior to an
activation of the second activation line.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is seen in a method
for reading a memory cell. The method includes providing a memory
cell coupled to first and second data lines. Sensing circuitry for
sensing a voltage on the data lines corresponding to charge stored
in the memory cell is provided. A first activation line is coupled
between the sensing circuitry and a pullup voltage source. A second
activation line is coupled between the sensing circuitry and a
pulldown voltage source. The first activation line is grounded and
the second activation line is equilibrated responsive to an
assertion of an equilibrate signal. The first activation line is
equilibrated responsive to an assertion of a sense amp
equilibration signal prior to an activation of the second
activation line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention may be understood by reference to the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements,
and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a portion of a memory device
in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of
a sense amp equilibration circuit that may be used in the memory
device of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIGS. 3A through 3C are timing diagrams illustrating the
operation of the memory device of FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a computer system
incorporating the memory device of FIG. 1.
[0017] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown
by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the description
herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described
below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual
implementation are described in this specification. It will of
course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual
embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made
to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary
from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit diagram of a portion of a
memory device 100 in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of
the present invention is provided. The memory device 100 includes
word lines (WL1) 102, (WL0) 104, and data lines 106 (DL), 108
(DL_). Memory cells 110, 111 are coupled to the word lines 102, 104
and data lines 106, 108 as shown. In the illustrated embodiment,
the memory device 100 has an operating voltage designated as VCC.
An intermediate voltage, DVC2, is employed in certain situations.
The intermediate voltage DVC2 is approximately half the operating
voltage VCC. The memory device 100 includes logic 109 for
generating the various timing signals discussed herein. Generation
of particular logic schemes to implement the timing relationships
discussed is within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in
the art, and is not described in greater detail for clarity and to
avoid obscuring the instant invention.
[0020] The illustrative memory cell 110 includes a transistor 112
and associated capacitor 114. The gate of the transistor 112 is
coupled to the word line 102, and the transistor 112 is coupled
between the capacitor 114 and the data line 106. The capacitor is
also coupled to a DVC2 voltage source 115. When the word line 102
is asserted, the transistor 112 is enabled to allow charge stored
in the capacitor 114 to transfer to the data line 106. If the
capacitor 114 has a stored charge corresponding to a logic "1", the
voltage on the data line 106 will be slightly higher than the
voltage on the data line 108. If the capacitor 114 is not charged,
the voltage on the data line 106 will drop relative to that on the
data line 108, corresponding to a logic "0" condition. The memory
cell 111 represents an adjacent memory cell having a transistor 116
coupled to the data line 108 and a gate by the word line 104. A
capacitor 118 is coupled between the transistor 116 and the DVC2
voltage source 115. Fur purposes of illustration, the operation of
the memory device 100 is described as it functions relative to the
memory cell 110.
[0021] The memory device 100 includes a sense amp 120 that senses
the small voltage difference on the data lines 106, 108 and
amplifies that difference until the particular data line 106, 108
having the increased voltage is brought to VCC and the other data
line 106, 108 is brought to ground (GND). Prior to the reading of
the memory cell 110, the sense amp 120 equilibrates the data lines
106, 108 such that they both have a voltage of DVC2. The sense amp
120 includes transistors 122, 124 coupled to the data lines 106,
108. A DVC2 voltage source 126 is coupled to a bleeder circuit 127,
which is, in turn, coupled to the transistors 122, 124. The
transistors 122, 124 are enabled by an assertion of an equilibrate
signal (EQ) thus coupling the data lines 106, 108 to the DVC2
voltage source 126 through the bleeder circuit 127. A transistor
128 is provided that couples the data lines 106, 108 to one another
responsive to an assertion of the EQ signal to further ensure that
the data lines 106, 108 are at the same voltage, DVC2. The bleeder
circuit 127 limits WL-DL short circuit connections as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,538, incorporated above.
[0022] The sense amp 120 further includes cross-coupled p-type
transistors 130, 132 and n-type transistors 134, 136. The p-type
transistors 130, 132 are coupled between the respective data lines
106, 108 and a pullup activation line 138 (represented by a signal
PUACT). The n-type transistors 134, 136 are coupled between the
respective data lines 106, 108 and a pulldown activation line 140
(represented by a signal PDACT_). The pullup and pulldown
activation lines 138, 140 may be referred to collectively as sense
amp activation lines 138, 140.
[0023] A transistor 142 is coupled between a VCC voltage source 144
and the pullup activation line 138 and is enabled responsive to an
assertion of a pullup enable signal (PUEN_). A transistor 146 is
coupled between a ground source 148 and the pulldown activation
line 140 and is enabled responsive to the assertion of a pulldown
enable signal (PDEN).
[0024] A transistor 150 is coupled between a ground voltage source
152 and the pullup activation line 138 and is enabled responsive to
an assertion of the EQ signal. A transistor 154 is coupled between
a DVC2 voltage source 156 and the pulldown activation line 140 and
is enabled responsive to the assertion of the EQ signal. Hence,
during the assertion of the EQ signal, the data lines 106, 108 are
equilibrated to DVC2, as described above, the pullup activation
line 138 is grounded, and the pulldown activation line 140 is
equilibrated to DVC2. Although the transistors 142, 146, 150, 154
are not included in the box representing the sense amp 120, they
are considered part of the sense amp 120.
[0025] Grounding the pullup activation line 138 is beneficial for
reducing bleed currents in the memory device 100 due to short
circuits between data lines, as described in the above-mentioned
patent. These shorts result in higher standby currents during
equilibrating cycles. This standby current may be limited using a
bleeder circuit as is described above.
[0026] The memory device 100 further includes a sense amp
equilibration circuit 160. In one embodiment, the sense amp
equilibration circuit 160 includes a transistor 162 coupled between
the pullup activation line 138 and the DVC2 voltage source 156. The
transistor 162 is enabled responsive to the assertion of a sense
amp equilibration (SAEQ) signal to bring the voltage on the pullup
activation line 138 to DVC2 responsive to the SAEQ assertion.
[0027] Turning briefly to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of a
sense amp equilibration circuit 160' is provided. In the
alternative embodiment, an additional transistor 164 enabled by the
PUEN_ signal is provided between the transistor 162 and the pullup
activation line 138. In this embodiment, the pullup activation line
138 is equilibrated to DVC2 responsive to an assertion of both the
SAEQ and the PUEN_ signals.
[0028] The operation of the memory device 100 of FIG. 1 is now
described in conjunction with the timing diagrams illustrated in
FIGS. 3A through 3C. FIG. 3A represents the timing arrangement used
with the first embodiment of the sense amp equilibration circuit
160, while FIG. 3B illustrates the timing arrangement used in
conjunction with the second embodiment of the sense amp
equilibration circuit 160' shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3C depicts the
behavior of the PUACT, PDACT_, DL, and DL_ signals during the
timing events shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The response shown in FIG.
3A is essentially the same for both embodiments of the sense amp
equilibration circuit 160, 160'.
[0029] The following example illustrates timing for a read
operation performed on the memory device 100. For purposes of
illustration, assume that a logic "1" is stored in the memory cell
110. As shown in FIG. 3A, the EQ signal is asserted prior to the
read operation, thus equilibrating the data lines 106, 108 by
enabling the transistors 122, 124, 128, equilibrating the pull down
activation line 140 (PDACT_) by enabling the transistor 154, and
grounding the pullup activation line 138 (PUACT) by enabling the
transistor 150. The EQ signal is deasserted prior to commencement
of the read operation.
[0030] At time period T1, the read operation commences and the word
lines 102, 104 are asserted (WL). Asserting the word line 102
enables the transistor 112 to allow the charge on the capacitor 114
to transfer to the data line 106. Because in the illustrated
example a logic "1" was previously stored in the memory cell 110,
the voltage seen on the data line 106 is higher than that seen on
the data line 108.
[0031] At time period T2, the SAEQ signal is asserted enabling the
transistor 162 and thus pre-enabling the pullup activation line 138
by bringing PUACT to DVC2. This condition improves the response
time of the sense amp 120. A first speed improvement is provided
because a greater V.sub.GS is present for the transistors 134, 136.
When PUACT is pre-enabled from GND to DVC2, the data lines 106, 108
are coupled by the transistors 130, 132. Because V.sub.GS is
greater, the response is increased when PDACT_ goes low. A second
speed improvement is realized because PUACT activates from DVC2
instead of GND, thus enabling one of the PMOS transistors 130, 132
more quickly.
[0032] At time period T3, the PDEN signal is asserted, enabling the
transistor 146 and coupling the pulldown activation line to the
ground source 148. The slightly higher voltage present on the data
line 106 resulting from the charge transfer from the memory cell
110 enables the transistor 136, which starts pulling the data line
108 (DL_) to ground. Shortly after the PDEN signal is asserted, the
PUEN_ signal is asserted, enabling the transistor 142 and coupling
the pullup activation line to the VCC voltage source 144. As the
voltage on the data line 108 (DL_) drops, the transistor 130 is
enabled, which starts pulling the data line 106 (DL) to VCC.
[0033] If the memory cell 110 had stored a logic "0," the situation
would have been reversed. The transistor 134 would have been
enabled by the higher voltage on the data line 108 (DL_) bringing
the data line 106 (DL) to ground, and the transistor 132 would have
been enabled to bring the data line 108 (DL_) to VCC.
[0034] Time period T4 represents the end of the read cycle. The
word line 102 is deasserted first. Then the PDEN and PUEN_ signals
are deasserted and the SAEQ signal is asserted in conjunction with
the EQ signal. The SAEQ signal enables the transistor 162, and the
EQ signal enables the transistors 150, 154. Hence, the pullup
activation line 138 and the pulldown activation line 140 are
momentarily coupled together, allowing charge sharing to occur.
Some of the charge on the pullup activation line 138 (PUACT is at
VCC) is transferred to the pulldown activation line 140 (PDACT_ is
at ground), which reduces the current draw on the DVC2 voltage
source 156 when equilibrating the pulldown activation line 140
(PDACT_). This reduced current draw equates to a power savings for
the memory device 110, making it more efficient. After the SAEQ
signal is deasserted, the pullup activation line 138 is pulled to
ground because the SAEQ signal is asserted, enabling the transistor
150. In the illustrated embodiment the transistor 150 is a
relatively small conductance device, since it draws current during
the SAEQ pulse for equilibrating PUACT and PDACT_. If the duration
of the SAEQ pulse were increased or the transistor 150 were too
have a greater conductance, the leakage current through the DVC2
source 156, the transistor 162, and the ground voltage source 152
would increase power consumption.
[0035] The sense amp equilibration circuit 160' operates in the
same logic manner as the sense amp equilibration circuit 160. The
transistors 162, 164 construct a logical AND condition (SAEQ AND
PUEN_). Using this configuration, the SAEQ signal may remain
asserted throughout the read cycle, but the sense amp equilibration
circuit 160' is only operative during the time period (T2-3) and
T4, as shown in FIG. 3B. The effect is the same as that of the
sense amp equilibration circuit 160, as illustrated by the fact
that the waveforms for the data lines 106, 108 (DL and DL_) and
activation lines 138, 140 (PUACT and PDACT_) shown in FIG. 3C
remain the same.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 4, a simplified block diagram of a
computer system 400 is provided. The computer system 400 includes
an input device 410, such as a keyboard, an output device 420, such
as a video monitor, and a storage device 430, such as a hard disk
drive, all coupled to a conventional processor 440. The computer
system 400 further includes the memory device 100 described in
conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 3C coupled to the processor
440.
[0037] Equilibrating the sense amp activation lines 138, 140 prior
to the read cycle, as desribed herein, decreases the response time
of the sense amp 120 without compromising the standby current
savings achieved by grounding the pullup activation line 138 during
the equilibration stage.
[0038] The exemplary circuit layouts used to illustrate the memory
cells 110 and sense amps 120 described above represent conventional
circuits employed in the art. However, the present invention may be
applied to other memory cell and/or sense amp configurations.
[0039] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative
only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different
but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having
the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations
are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown,
other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore
evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be
altered or modified and all such variations are considered within
the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection
sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.
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