Patent ID: 6636453
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A memory circuit, comprising:at least two memory areas each including a plurality of cells for storing in each case an item of binary data; a two-conductor local data line assigned to a corresponding one of said at least two memory areas, said two-conductor local data line including a first conductor and a second conductor; selectively closable transfer switches; each of said at least two memory areas including a plurality of primary read amplifiers each assigned to a respective subset of said cells in order to sense an item of binary data saved in an addressed one of said cells of said subset; said primary read amplifiers setting, via respective ones of said selectively closable transfer switches, said first conductor of said two-conductor local data line to a first logic potential and said second conductor of said two-conductor local data line to a second logic potential, if the item of binary data having been sensed has a first binary value, and setting said first conductor to the second logic potential and said second conductor to the first logic potential, if the item of binary data having been sensed has a second binary value; a selectively controllable line switch; a secondary read amplifier configured as a differential amplifier and having input terminals; a two-conductor master data line including two conductors respectively connected to said input terminals of said secondary read amplifier; said first conductor and said second conductor of said two-conductor local data line being connected, via said selectively controllable line switch, to said conductors of said two-conductor master data line; precharging devices for equalizing, prior to closing a respective one of said selectively closable transfer switches, said first conductor and said second conductor of said two-conductor local data line to a potential lying between the first logic potential and the second logic potential, and for equalizing, prior to closing said selectively controllable line switch, said two conductors of said master data line to a potential lying between the first logic potential and the second logic potential; and said secondary read amplifier having an amplifying operating range and being provided with supply potentials such that said secondary read amplifier operates within the amplifying operating range when either one of said input terminals of said secondary read amplifier is driven to the first logic potential and another one of said input terminals of said secondary read amplifier is driven to the second logic potential.