Non-Volatile Memory Sensing Device Without Operational Amplifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensing devices for non-volatile memory are prone to noise amplification due to the presence of operational amplifiers, leading to unstable judging voltages and potential misjudgments during the sense cycle.
Innovation Solution
The proposed sensing device eliminates the operational amplifier and employs a current mirror and switch configurations to generate reference and sensed currents, allowing for accurate determination of memory cell states without noise amplification, using a comparator or logic buffers to produce output data based on cell current comparisons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an operational amplifier is used in the sensing device to amplify signals, then signal sensitivity is improved, but noise amplification occurs leading to unstable judging voltages and potential misjudgments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the operational amplifier from the sensing device circuit to eliminate the source of noise amplification. By extracting this component, the device achieves stable judging voltages without the harmful noise amplification effect, while still maintaining adequate signal sensitivity through alternative circuit design using current mirrors and switches.
2Power
If conventional sensing device architecture with operational amplifier is used, then signal amplification is achieved, but judging voltage stability deteriorates due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the operational amplifier-based signal amplification mechanism with a current mirror and switch-based system. This substitution eliminates the noise amplification problem while maintaining the necessary signal processing capability, thereby achieving both signal amplification and judging voltage stability simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operational amplifier is included in the sensing device, then signal processing capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the operational amplifier from the circuit and replaces it with a combination of current mirrors and switches. This simplification reduces device complexity while maintaining adequate signal processing capability through the alternative current-based sensing mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device for a non-volatile memory includes a reference circuit, two switches, a sensing circuit and a judging circuit. The reference circuit is connected to a first node. A first terminal of the first switch is connected with the first node and a control terminal of the first switch receives an inverted reset pulse. A first terminal of the second switch is connected with the first node, a second terminal of the second switch receives a ground voltage, and a control terminal of the second switch receives a reset pulse. The sensing circuit is connected between the second terminal of the first switch and a second node. The sensing circuit generates a first sensed current. The judging circuit is connected to the second node. The judging circuit receives the first sensed current and generates an output data according to the first sensed current.