Differential sense amplifier circuit for high speed ROMS, and flash memory devices

• US 4,903,237 A
• Filed: 08/02/1988
• Issued: 02/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor Inc (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Catalyst Semiconductor Inc (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Rao, Kameswara K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fears, Terrell W.
• Application Number:
  US07/227,584
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 307/530, 307/210, 365/185, 365/226, 365/227, 365/189.04, 365/189.05
• US Class Current: 365/185.21
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/28 using differential sensing or reference cells, e.g. dummy cells
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/062 Differential amplifiers of non-latching type, e.g. comparators, long-tailed pairs

Abstract

A circuit senses the state of an EPROM cell transistor and drives an output lead in response thereto. The circuit comprises first and second sense amplifiers, each having inverting and noninverting input leads. The circuit also comprises a reference voltage lead coupled to the inverting lead of the first sense amplifier and the noninverting lead of the second sense amplifier. An EPROM cell transistor is connected to the noninverting lead of the first sense amplifier and the inverting lead of the second sense amplifier. The first sense amplifier is coupled to a first portion of a buffer circuit which couples the output lead to a VCC supply lead, while the second sense amplifier drives a second portion of a buffer circuit which coupled the output lead to ground.

Claims

1. A memory circuit comprising:

at least one memory cell for storing data;

means for providing a data signal corresponding to the data stored in said memory cell;

means for providing a reference voltage;

first sense amplifier means having an output lead, an inverting input lead receiving said reference voltage and a noninverting input lead receiving said data signal;

second sense amplifier means having an output lead, noninverting input lead receiving said reference voltage, and an inverting input lead receiving said data signal;

a memory circuit output lead;

first means for coupling said memory circuit output lead to a first voltage in response to the signal on said output lead of said first sense amplifier means; and

second means for coupling said memory circuit output lead to a second voltage in response to the signal on said output lead of said second sense amplifier means.

2. Memory circuit of claim 1 further comprising a level shifter including first and second MOS transistors coupled in series between first and second voltage supply leads, said first sense amplifier means driving the gate of a first one of said MOS transistors, the gate of the other of said MOS transistors receiving a bias voltage.

3. Memory circuit of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a first mos transistor coupled between said output lead and a first voltage supply lead, and wherein said second means comprises a second MOS transistor coupled between said output lead and a second voltage supply lead.

6. Memory circuit of claim 3 further comprising:

third means for providing a gate control signal on the gate of said first MOS transistor responsive to the signal on said output lead of said first sense amplifier means;

fourth means coupled to the gate of said second MOS transistor for providing a signal on the gate of said second MOS transistor responsive to the signal on said output lead of said second sense amplifier means; and

fifth means, coupled to the gate of said second MOS, transistor for driving the gate of said second MOS transistor with a signal responsive to the signal on said output lead of said first sense amplifier means.

4. A memory circuit comprising:

an array of floating gate transistors;

a plurality of sense amplifiers, each sense amplifier being associated with a group of floating gate transistors within said array, each sense amplifier including first and second leads;

decode means for selectively coupling one of said floating gate transistors within one of said groups to the first lead of said sense amplifier associated with said group; and

a plurality of reference voltage generators, each being associated with one of said sense amplifiers and each providing a reference voltage on the second lead of said associated sense amplifier.

5. Circuit of claim 4 wherein each reference voltage generator comprises a column of reference transistors.