Patent ID: 6560145
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A charge pump for a memory device, comprising: clock generating means supplying an output clock signal; phase generating means receiving said output clock signal and supplying phase signals; voltage boosting means receiving a supply voltage and said phase signals, and supplying a read voltage higher than said supply voltage; said clock generating means comprising comparator means having a first input receiving said read voltage, a second input receiving a reference voltage, and an output supplying a selection signal indicating the outcome of the comparison between said read voltage and said reference voltage; and selection means having a first signal input receiving a first input clock signal, a second signal input receiving a second input clock signal having a frequency higher than the frequency of said first input clock signal, a selection input receiving said selection signal, and an output supplying said output clock signal, and operatively connectable to one of said first and second clock input signals in response to said selection signal.