Patent ID: 6091654
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A current sense amplifier circuit, comprising:a pair of cross coupled inverters, wherein each inverter comprises a complementary pair of gated lateral bipolar transistors, the complementary pair comprising a first channel type transistor and a second channel type transistor, each gated lateral bipolar transistor comprising:a body region formed of single crystalline semiconductor material and extending outwardly from a substrate, the body region having an upper surface and opposing sidewalls;a emitter/source region formed within a portion of the upper surface of the body region;a collector/drain region formed within a portion of the upper surface of the body region;a gate formed above the upper surface of the body region, wherein the gate further includes a sidewall member;a pair of bit lines coupled to the emitter/source regions of the first channel type transistor in each inverter; anda pair of input/output lines, each one within the pair of input/output lines coupled to the collector/drain regions of one of the cross-coupled inverters and to the gates of the other inverter.