Patent ID: 8913420

Claim:
A random access memory controller, comprising: a column multiplexer and sense amplifier pair, wherein the column multiplexer and sense amplifier pair includes a column multiplexer and a sense amplifier that are configured to utilize common circuitry, wherein the common circuitry is shared between the column multiplexer and the sense amplifier so that the memory controller includes a single instance of the common circuitry for the column multiplexer and sense amplifier pair, wherein the common circuitry includes a common pre-charge circuit, a common equalizer, or a common keeper circuit; wherein the column multiplexer and sense amplifier pair is configured to perform a column selection operation, wherein the column selection operation utilizes the common circuitry, wherein the column multiplexer and sense amplifier pair is further configured to perform a sense amplification operation, wherein the sense amplification operation also uses the same common circuitry.