Patent ID: 6392447
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A sense amp for supplying a current to a bit line connected to a first potential through a memory cell transistor and detecting a potential of the bit line, which varies according to a conductive state of the memory cell transistor, comprising:a load element connected to a second potential; a first transistor connected between said load element and the bit line, wherein said first transistor is connected to the second potential via said load element; a second transistor connected between the second potential and the bit line, wherein said second transistor has a higher threshold than said first transistor, and wherein one of a source and a drain of said second transistor is directly connected to the second potential; an inverter having an input terminal connected to the bit line and an output terminal connected to the gates of said first and second transistors; and a differential amp having a first input terminal connected between said load element and said first transistor, a second input terminal that outputs signal indicating the potential detection result of the bit line.