Cross-Coupled Sense Amplifier for Low-Voltage Memory Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor memory devices trend towards higher speeds and lower power consumption, the increasing lengths of data lines lead to capacitive loading delays, making it difficult to sense and amplify weak data signals effectively, especially with decreasing potential differences between bit line pairs.
Innovation Solution
A sense amplifier with an amplifying section and latches electrically coupled in a cross-coupled type, along with a switching section, is designed to selectively couple segment and local line pairs in response to enable signals, improving data amplification and transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the chip size of semiconductor memory device increases to accommodate more memory cells, then the storage capacity increases, but the lengths of data lines increase causing increased capacitive loading delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data transmission path into multiple stages by introducing local sense amplifiers between bit lines and global sense amplifiers. This segmentation allows data to be amplified in stages along the transmission path, reducing the cumulative capacitive loading delay caused by longer data lines in larger chip designs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the operation power supply voltage decreases to reduce power consumption, then the power consumption decreases, but the potential difference of data signals becomes finer making sensing more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary amplification action through local sense amplifiers before the data signal reaches the global sense amplifier. This preliminary action boosts the signal strength at an intermediate stage, ensuring that even with low supply voltages producing fine potential differences, the signal remains detectable and distinguishable throughout the transmission path.
3Speed
If the operation speed increases to improve performance, then the processing speed increases, but the activation time of data lines is shortened reducing the potential difference for sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous amplification action through the staged architecture where local sense amplifiers continuously boost signals during the shortened activation period. This continuous useful action ensures that data signals are amplified throughout the entire transmission path even when the activation time is compressed due to high-speed operation requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A sense amplifier may include an amplifying section configured to amplify data of a segment line pair when an enable signal is activated and output amplified data to a local line pair, and including latches electrically coupled in a cross-coupled type. The sense amplifier may include a switching section configured to selectively electrically couple the segment line pair and the local line pair in response to an input/output switch signal.