Patent ID: 8559249

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of columns; wherein each of the columns includes a plurality of data storage cells, wherein each given one of the data storage cells is configured such that in response to the assertion of a row selection signal, the given data storage cell generates a column output; and a column multiplexer coupled to receive input data from the plurality of columns wherein the column multiplexer is configured to controllably select data from one of the plurality of columns to generate a column multiplexer output dependent upon a column selection signal; and a first sense amplifier with a first gain level configured to amplify the column multiplexer output signal by the first gain level and generate a first sense amplifier output signal in response to the assertion of a first control signal; and a second sense amplifier with a second gain level, where the second gain level is higher than the first gain level, configured to amplify the column multiplexer output signal by the second gain level and generate a second sense amplifier output signal in response to the assertion of a second control signal; and an output circuit configured to receive the first sense amplifier output signal and the second sense amplifier output signal, and logically combine them based upon a output selection signal.