Patent ID: 6249471
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A full signal swing differential output path circuit for transferring a latched data value on a pair of complementary global data nodes to a single-ended output of a memory instance, comprising:at least one tri-statable sense amplifier disposed between said complementary global data nodes, said at least one tri-statable sense amplifier operating to sense a predetermined differential voltage between a pair of complementary bitlines disposed in a bank of storage cells pursuant to a memory access, said bank of storage cells forming at least a portion of said memory instance, wherein a first output of said at least one tri-statable sense amplifier is coupled to a select one of said complementary global data nodes and a second output of said at least one tri-statable sense amplifier is coupled to the other complementary global data node;a pair of latches operating to latch logic levels on said complementary global data nodes;a first precharge pull up device coupled to said one of said complementary global data nodes and a second precharge pull up device coupled to said other one of said complementary global data nodes, said precharge pull up devices being actuatable by a precharge signal;a pass gate coupled to said one of said complementary global data nodes, said pass gate being actuatable by an output enable signal, said pass gate operating to drive an output pull up device coupled to said single-ended output of said memory instance; anda NOR gate coupled to said other one of said complementary global data nodes and an inverted signal derived from said output enable signal, said logic gate operating to drive a output pull down device coupled to said single-ended output of said memory instance,wherein said single-ended output of said memory instance is pulled to one of a logic high value and a logic low value based on said latched data value on said pair of complementary global data nodes, provided said output enable signal is activated and said precharge signal is deactivated.