Abstract:
A latching current sensing amplifier circuit for memory arrays and a current sensing technique using the latching current sensing amplifier circuit are provided. The current sense-amplifier circuit includes a first and second pair of series connected transistors configured with a common gate node for a sense operation and reconfigurable as a cross-coupled pair for a latching operation.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a structure which includes a twin-cell memory which includes a first device and a second device and which is configured to store data which corresponds to a threshold voltage difference between the first device controlled by a first wordline and the second device controlled by a second wordline.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a structure which includes a current-mirror control node which is configured to adjust a current margin and provide the adjusted current margin to at least one one-time programmable memory (OTPM) cell.
Abstract:
Approaches for a write assist circuit are provided. The write assist circuit includes a plurality of binary weighted boost capacitors which each contain a first node coupled to a bitline and a second node connected to a corresponding boost enabling transistor, and a plurality of boost enabling transistors which each contain a gate connected to a boost control enable signal for controlling a corresponding binary weighted boost capacitor. The boost control enable signal of each of the plurality of boost enabling transistors is controlled by encoded values based on a power supply level.
Abstract:
Disclosed are an on-chip reliability monitor and method. The monitor includes a test circuit with a test device, a reference circuit with a reference device, and a comparator circuit. The monitor periodically switches from operation in a stress mode, to operation in a test mode, and back. During each stress mode, the test device is subjected to stress conditions that emulate the operating conditions of an on-chip functional device while the reference device remains essentially unstressed. During each test mode, the comparator circuit compares a parameter of the test device to the same parameter of the reference device and outputs a status signal based on the difference between the parameters. When the status signal switches values, it is an indicator that the functional device has been subjected to a predetermined number of power-on-hours. Optionally, multiple monitors can be cascaded together to more accurately monitor stress-induced changes over time.
Abstract:
A method of generating a high differential read current through a non-volatile memory, includes receiving a voltage read input from a word line voltage generator, outputting a first current to a bit line true (BLT), outputting a second current to a bit line complement (BLC), and generating the high differential read current through a difference between the first current and the second current.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a structure which includes a twin-cell memory which is configured to program a plurality of write operations, a current sense amplifier which is connected to the twin-cell memory and is configured to sense a current differential and latch a differential voltage based on the current differential, and at least one current source which is connected to the current sense amplifier and is configured to add an offset current to the current sense amplifier to create the differential voltage.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an op-amp circuit with current-controlled hysteresis that is insensitive to PVT variations. In the circuit, a digital output signal is output from an output buffer based on the output voltage at an output node of an op-amp. A current source is connected to the input side of the op-amp or one of multiple current sources is selectively connected to the input side and enabled when the digital output signal has a high value to provide falling edge hysteresis. Alternatively, a current source is connected to the reference side of the op-amp or one of multiple current sources is selectively connected to the reference side and enabled when the digital output signal is low to provide rising edge hysteresis. Alternatively, current sources are connected to both the input and reference sides and selectively controlled to provide either falling or rising edge hysteresis.
Abstract:
Approaches for a write assist circuit are provided. The write assist circuit includes a boost capacitor with a first node coupled to a bitline through control logic and a second node connected to a field effect transistor (FET) diode stack, a plurality of boot enabled transistors which each contain a gate connected to a boost control signal, and a controlled current source coupled between a ground signal and the second node of the boost capacitor. In the write assist circuit, the boost capacitor has a discharge path which is controlled to provide a boost voltage which is invariant to a level of a power supply signal.
Abstract:
An array of memory cells in rows and columns with each column having a corresponding reference cell and a corresponding comparator. Each memory cell in a given row and given column is connected to a memory wordline for the row and to a memory bitline for the column. Each reference cell is connected to a reference wordline for the reference cells and to a reference bitline. Each comparator for a column has a current mirror with a reference section connected to the reference bitline for the reference cell for the column and a memory section connected to the memory bitline for the memory cells in the column. Each reference section has a current mirror node and all current mirror nodes in the array are connected to reduce mismatch and improve sensing accuracy. Voltages applied to the memory and reference wordlines are varied to provide accurate single-ended sensing, margin testing, etc.