Sense Amplifier Pre-Charge Circuit for Low Voltage Memory Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The low operating voltage in semiconductor processes results in small cell currents for non-volatile memory cells, leading to prolonged data sensing times, which limits the performance of sense amplifiers.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus comprising an initial circuit, a reference current generator, and a sensing circuit that discharges the sensing end to a reference ground during a discharge period and pre-charges it to a preset voltage level during a pre-charge period, allowing for quicker voltage level rise above the trigger voltage when a cell current is received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the operating voltage is reduced to low levels (e.g., 1.5V/1.2V or 1.0V), then power consumption is reduced, but the cell current becomes small resulting in prolonged data sensing time
Solution Approach 1:
The sense amplifier performs preliminary actions before the actual sensing operation: (1) Discharging the sensing end to a reference ground level during a discharge period, and (2) Pre-charging the sensing end to a preset voltage level during a pre-charge period. These preliminary actions prepare the sensing end to quickly respond to small cell currents from low-voltage memory cells, enabling fast data sensing while maintaining low operating voltage.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the cell current is small due to low operating voltage, then power consumption is reduced, but the time required for the current to charge the bit line increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sense amplifier pre-charges the sensing end to a preset voltage level before the actual sensing operation. This preliminary action reduces the time required for the small cell current to charge the bit line during the actual sensing phase, while the overall low operating voltage maintains reduced power consumption.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the voltage level on the sensing end rises slowly, then the sensing operation is stable, but the data sensing time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The sense amplifier pre-charges the sensing end to a preset voltage level that is optimized for fast sensing. This preliminary action enables the voltage level to rise quickly above the trigger level during the actual sensing operation, reducing data sensing time while maintaining sensing stability through controlled discharge and pre-charge phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The sense amplifier uses periodic discharge and pre-charge phases before the sensing operation. The discharge period resets the sensing end to a reference ground level, and the pre-charge period raises it to a preset voltage level. This periodic preparation enables subsequent fast and stable sensing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing apparatus and data sensing method are provided. The sensing apparatus includes an initial circuit, a reference current generator and a sensing circuit. The initial circuit discharges a sensing end to a reference ground during a discharge period, and pre-charges the sensing end to a preset voltage level during a pre-charge period according to an output signal. The reference current generator draws a reference current from the sensing end. The sensing circuit senses a voltage level on the sensing end to generate the output signal. Wherein, the sensing end receives a cell current from a memory cell, and the pre-charge period is after the discharge period.