Dynamic Sense Amplifier Kickback Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sense amplifiers for programmable memory devices, such as eFuses and antifuses, are sensitive to power supply voltage variations and prone to kickback noise, leading to inaccurate read circuitry and a wide trip-point spread across different process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) corners, particularly in low voltage applications.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage dynamic sense amplifier circuit with a CMOS amplifier and a comparator, utilizing PMOS and NMOS transistors, that includes a reference element to generate output signals based on the resistance of a programmable memory device and a current source, effectively reducing kickback noise and stabilizing the trip-point across various PVT corners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional sense amplifiers are used, then the circuit can operate with simple structure, but the trip-point is highly sensitive to power supply voltage variations and exhibits wide spread across PVT corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic sense amplifier architecture that uses clocked control signals to enable controlled charging and discharging phases. The dynamic operation allows the circuit to achieve stable trip-point detection by synchronizing the sensing operation with clock cycles, thereby reducing sensitivity to PVT variations while maintaining operational accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The sense amplifier utilizes periodic clock signals to control the operation phases including precharge, sensing, and latching. This periodic action ensures that the amplifier operates in synchronized cycles, allowing stable trip-point detection across different process, voltage, and temperature conditions by resetting and recharging the internal nodes regularly.
2Device complexity
If conventional sense amplifiers are used, then the circuit design is straightforward, but kickback noise affects read circuitry accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the kickback noise generation path by using separate control signaling for the sense amplifier stages. The clocked architecture allows the noisy switching operations to be confined to specific phases, while the latching stage captures the sensed value during a quiet phase, effectively separating the noise generation from the sensitive measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sense amplifier performs preliminary precharging of internal nodes before the actual sensing operation. This preliminary action prepares the circuit in a known state and allows the sensing phase to occur under controlled conditions, reducing the impact of kickback noise on the measurement accuracy by establishing stable baseline voltages beforehand.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional sense amplifiers are used, then power consumption may be higher, but accurate read operation at low voltage is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic sense amplifier uses clocked control to enable operation at lower supply voltages. By synchronizing the charging and sensing operations with clock phases, the circuit maintains adequate voltage margins during critical transitions, allowing accurate read operations at low voltage while consuming less power compared to static designs that require higher continuous supply voltages.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include circuits, apparatuses, and systems for programmable memory device sense amplifiers. In embodiments, an electronic circuit may include a programmable memory device having a first resistance in a first state and a second resistance in a second state, a reference element, an amplifier to generate a first output signal based at least in part on the resistance of the programmable memory device and a second output signal based at least in part on a current from the reference element, and a comparator to determine a state of the programmable memory device based on the first and second output signals from the amplifier. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.