Patent ID: 7167394

Claim:
A sense amplifier for reading a non-volatile memory cell comprising: a bitline current path connected to a non-volatile memory cell to be read; a reference current path connected to a reference memory cell; a current mirror comprising an input transistor and a corresponding input node, and an output transistor and a corresponding output node, said current mirror for converting currents in the reference current path and the bitline current path to respective voltages on the input and output nodes; and an equalization circuit for equalizing the voltages on the input and output nodes of said current mirror and being activated by a command signal, said equalization circuit comprising a switch controlled by the command signal, a diode-connected load transistor connected in parallel to the output transistor of said current mirror and connected to the output node thereof through said switch, and a current steering path drawing from the bitline current path a current larger than or equal to a reference current in the reference current path when enabled by the command signal so that said load transistor establishes a desired voltage on said output node.