Patent ID: 9294051
Filing Date: 2016-03-22
CPC Classification: G11C,H03F

Claim Text:
1. A sense amplifier comprising: a power switch coupled between a first reference voltage source at a first voltage level and a second reference voltage source at a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level, the power switch configured to enable current to flow from the first reference voltage source to the second reference voltage source in the sense amplifier responsive to a clock signal placed in a first state; a sensing circuit coupled in series with the power switch, the sensing circuit configured to receive an input signal and change an output voltage at an output node based on the input signal during a period between a first time at which the clock signal transitions from a second state to the first state and a second time at which the output voltage reaches a threshold voltage level; a regeneration circuit coupled in parallel to the sensing circuit and in series with the power switch, the regeneration circuit configured to amplify the changed output voltage after the second time and before the clock signal transitions from the first state to the second state, the output voltage reaching the threshold voltage level based on the current flowing from the first reference voltage source to the second reference voltage source through the power switch; and a self clock control circuit configured to turn off the power switch responsive to the output voltage at the output node reaching a holding voltage level, the output node coupled to an input of the self clock control circuit and an output of the self clock control circuit coupled to a control terminal of the power switch.