Patent ID: 6362661
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A sense amplifier comprising:a reference voltage generator for producing a reference voltage at a reference node; a sense voltage generating circuit coupled to a first bit line and to the reference node, on generating a sense voltage at a sense node in response to an on or off state of a memory cell and to the reference voltage; a level detector coupled to the sense node, for detecting whether the sense voltage is higher than a predetermined trip voltage, and for outputting a logic low signal or a logic high signal representation of the on or off state of the memory cell, the level detector not being coupled to the reference node other than through the sense node, wherein the level detector comprises an inverter having the trip voltage; and a first switch coupled between a power supply voltage and the sense node, wherein the first switch is switched on/off in accordance with a first sense amplifier enable signal so as to supply the sense node with the power supply voltage.