Memory Sense Amplifier Control Using Read-Margin Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in optimizing read timing performance (Ted) due to inconsistent read margins (RM) of data lines, leading to potential read errors and reduced efficiency in sense amplifier operations.
Innovation Solution
A sense amplifier control system that selectively enables the sense amplifier based on the read margin (RM) of the data lines, allowing earlier activation when the RM is sufficient, rather than relying solely on a global enable signal, thereby improving read timing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a global enable signal is used to control the sense amplifier, then the control is simple and centralized, but the read timing performance cannot be optimized due to inconsistent read margins of data lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single global enable signal into multiple individual sense amplifier enable signals (SAE1, SAE2, SAE3, SAE4) corresponding to different data line pairs. Each sense amplifier can be independently enabled based on its specific read margin conditions, allowing optimized read timing performance while maintaining manageable control through distributed enable logic.
2Productivity
If the sense amplifier is enabled earlier to improve read timing performance, then read errors may occur due to insufficient read margin development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of sense amplifier enable timing by monitoring the actual read margin development of each data line pair in real-time. The enable logic dynamically adjusts the enable timing based on whether the read margin has reached the required threshold, allowing earlier enable when conditions permit while preventing enable before sufficient margin development. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between early enable for performance and conditional enable for reliability.
3Reliability
If the sense amplifier is enabled later to ensure read accuracy, then read timing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary monitoring of read margin development during the read operation phase before actually enabling the sense amplifier. By preliminarily assessing whether the read margin has reached the required threshold level, the system can confidently enable the sense amplifier at the optimal moment, ensuring both accuracy and performance. This preliminary assessment action eliminates the need to delay enable until accuracy is certain, thereby improving timing performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device includes a memory bank with a memory cell connected to a local bit line and a word line. A first local data latch is connected to the local bit line and has an enable terminal configured to receive a first local clock signal. A word line latch is configured to latch a word line select signal, and has an enable terminal configured to receive a second local clock signal. A first global data latch is connected to the first local data latch by a global bit line, and the first global data latch has an enable terminal configured to receive a global clock signal. A global address latch is connected to the word line latch and has an enable terminal configured to receive the global clock signal. A bank select latch is configured to latch a bank select signal, and has an enable terminal configured to receive the second local clock signal.