Non-Volatile Memory Sensing Circuit for Stable Judging Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing apparatuses for non-volatile memories are prone to noise interference and suffer from instability in judging voltage, leading to misjudgments during the sense cycle due to the use of operational amplifiers, which affect read speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The sensing apparatus incorporates current mirrors, switches, voltage control circuits, and judging circuits to stabilize the judging voltage and improve noise resistance, using current mirrors to mirror reference currents and bias currents, and voltage control devices to manage voltage levels, ensuring accurate state judgment of memory cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If operational amplifiers are used in the sensing apparatus, then voltage amplification and signal processing are achieved, but noise interference increases and judging voltage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes operational amplifiers from the sensing apparatus circuit. Instead of using operational amplifiers for voltage amplification and signal processing, the invention employs a simplified circuit configuration that directly senses the cell current through current mirrors and voltage control circuits, thereby eliminating the noise interference and judging voltage instability caused by operational amplifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and complex operational amplifiers with simpler, more reliable circuit elements such as current mirrors, voltage control circuits, and switching devices. This substitution reduces circuit complexity and eliminates the harmful effects associated with operational amplifier-based signal processing while maintaining the necessary sensing functionality.
2Ease of operation
If operational amplifiers are used in the sensing apparatus, then signal processing is enhanced, but judging voltage stability deteriorates leading to misjudgments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes operational amplifiers from the sensing apparatus, replacing them with a more reliable circuit configuration. The new design uses current mirrors to accurately replicate reference currents and voltage control circuits to maintain stable judging voltages, eliminating the instability and misjudgment issues associated with operational amplifier-based signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through voltage control circuits that monitor and adjust the judging voltage to maintain stability. The circuit uses feedback loops to ensure that the judging voltage remains constant during the sensing operation, thereby preventing misjudgments and improving reliability without requiring operational amplifiers.
3Power
If operational amplifiers are used in the sensing apparatus, then voltage control is achieved, but read speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes operational amplifiers from the voltage control path, replacing them with direct voltage control circuits that operate faster. The simplified circuit configuration eliminates the bandwidth limitations and response delays inherent in operational amplifier-based voltage control, thereby significantly improving read speed while maintaining effective voltage control through alternative circuit mechanisms.
4Power
If operational amplifiers are used in the sensing apparatus, then signal amplification is achieved, but accuracy deteriorates due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts operational amplifiers from the sensing apparatus and replaces them with a noise-free circuit configuration. The invention uses current mirrors to accurately sense and replicate cell currents, and voltage control circuits to maintain stable operating conditions, thereby achieving accurate state judgment without the noise-induced accuracy deterioration caused by operational amplifier-based signal amplification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the sensing apparatus's noise immunity and read speed by stabilizing the judging voltage, reducing misjudgments and improving the accuracy of state determination in non-volatile memory cells.
Implementation Method 1
The first current mirror controls a first current flowing from the second node according to a reference current flowing through the first node
Implementation Method 2
The second current mirror controls a second current flowing to the judging node according to a first bias current flowing through the fourth node
Implementation Method 3
The voltage control circuit conducts a current in a one-way direction from the judging node to the third node in a sensing phase of the sense cycle according to a magnitude relationship between the reference current and a cell current
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing apparatus for a non-volatile memory includes two current mirrors, three switches, a voltage control circuit and a judging circuit. The input terminal of the first current mirror receives a reference current. A mirroring terminal of the first current mirror is connected with a data line. The first switch is connected between the data line and the voltage control circuit. The second switch is connected between the data line and a ground voltage. The third switch is connected between the voltage control circuit and a supply voltage. The input terminal of the second current mirror receives a bias current. The mirroring terminal of the second current mirror is connected with the judging node. The voltage control circuit and the judging circuit are connected with the judging node.