Memory cell with power supply induced reversed-bias pass transistors for reducing off-leakage current
First Claim
1. A memory cell, comprising:
- a storage element capable of storing either a first data value or a second data value;
a pass transistor, coupled to the storage element; and
a power supply generator, coupled to the storage element, the power supply generator configured to provide a first power supply and a second power supply to the storage element when the storage element is being read, and the first power supply and a third power supply to the storage element so as to induce the pass transistor into a substantially reverse-biased state when the storage element is not being read, regardless of whether the storage element is storing the first data value or the second data value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell operating within a power supply range that induces the pass transistor(s) of the memory cell to be reversed biased when the memory cell is not being accessed. The memory cell includes a storage element capable of storing either a first data value or a second data value, a pass transistor, coupled to the storage element, and a power supply generator is coupled to the storage element. The power supply generator is configured to generate supply level voltages for the storage element so as to induce the pass transistor into a substantially reverse-biased state when the storage element is not being accessed, regardless of whether the storage element is storing the first data value or a second data value.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A memory cell, comprising:
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a storage element capable of storing either a first data value or a second data value; a pass transistor, coupled to the storage element; and a power supply generator, coupled to the storage element, the power supply generator configured to provide a first power supply and a second power supply to the storage element when the storage element is being read, and the first power supply and a third power supply to the storage element so as to induce the pass transistor into a substantially reverse-biased state when the storage element is not being read, regardless of whether the storage element is storing the first data value or the second data value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 21)
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14. A method of providing a memory cell capable of operating in either a standby state or an access state, the method comprising:
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providing a storage element capable of storing either a first data value or a second data value; providing a pass transistor, coupled to the storage element; and providing a power supply generator, coupled to the storage element, the power supply generator configured to provide a first power supply and a second power supply to the storage element when the storage element is being accessed, and the first power supply and a third power supply to the storage element so as to induce the pass transistor into a substantially reverse-biased state when the storage element is not being read, regardless of whether the storage element is storing the first data value or the second data value. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of operating a memory cell capable of operating in either a standby state or an access state, the method comprising:
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storing either a first data value or a second data value in a storage element having a pass transistor; generating a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage for the storage element when the storage element is being read; and generating the first supply voltage and a third supply voltage for the storage element which induces the pass transistor into a substantially reverse-biased state when the storage element is not being read, regardless of whether the storage element is storing the first data value or a second data value. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification