Sense amplifier with equalizer

A sense amplifier is provided that includes a measure branch receiving an input current to be detected, a reference branch receiving a reference current, and an equalizing circuit including a comparator. The equalizing circuit selectively equalizes a measure node of the measure branch with a referen...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors MONTANARO MASSIMO, PAGLIATO MAURO, ROLANDI PAOLO
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 14.11.2006
Subjects
INFORMATION STORAGE
PHYSICS
STATIC STORES
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Summary:A sense amplifier is provided that includes a measure branch receiving an input current to be detected, a reference branch receiving a reference current, and an equalizing circuit including a comparator. The equalizing circuit selectively equalizes a measure node of the measure branch with a reference node of the reference branch, and the comparator compares a voltage at the measure node of the measure branch with a voltage at the reference node of the reference branch. The equalizing circuit is such that, when activated, equalization of the measure node with the reference node is virtual and substantially does not involve a flow of current between the measure node and the reference node of the reference branch. The sense amplifier is particularly suited for reading memory cells of a semiconductor memory. Also provided is a method for sensing an input current.
Bibliography:Application Number: US20040913788