Patent ID: 6157219
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
An amplifier comprising:a first input node to which first data having a first voltage is supplied;a second input node to which second data having a second voltage which is different from the first voltage is supplied;a power supply voltage node to which a power supply voltage is applied;a load circuit comprising a first load element coupled between the power supply voltage node and the first input node, and a second load element coupled between the power supply voltage node and the second input node;a first output node at which a voltage corresponding to a voltage at the first input node appears;a second output node at which a voltage corresponding to a voltage at the second input node appears;a reference voltage node at which a reference voltage that is sufficiently lower than the power supply voltage is applied, said reference voltage node being connectable to the first and second output nodes;a first switching circuit comprising a first switching element disposed between the first input node and the first output node, and a second switching element disposed between the second input node and the second output node; anda second switching circuit comprising a third switching element disposed between the first output node and the reference voltage node, and a fourth switching element disposed between the second output node and the reference voltage node,wherein the first and second switching elements are substantially made non-conductive and the third and fourth switching elements are made conductive before the first and second data are supplied to the first input node and the second input node so that voltages at the first and second output nodes are substantially set to the reference voltage, andwherein the first and second switching elements are made conductive and the third and fourth switching elements are substantially made non-conductive after the first and second data are supplied to the first input node and the second input node so that voltages at the first and second output nodes are changed from the reference voltage to voltages corresponding to the first and second data which are supplied to the first and second input nodes.