Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
   This U.S. nonprovisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application 2002-54289 filed on Sep. 9, 2002, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to semiconductor memory devices, and more particularly, sense amplifiers for memory devices. 
   As a power supply voltage of a semiconductor memory device is lowered, a conventional sense amplifier may not operate stably in such semiconductor memory devices operating at a lower power supply voltage such as 1V. 
     FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a conventional semiconductor memory device capable of inputting and outputting one bit of data at a time. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array  10  having flash memory cells MC, a row decoder  12 , a pre-discharge circuit  14 , a data input and output gate circuit  16 , a column decoder  18  and a sense amplifier  20 . The operation of each block of the semiconductor memory device shown in  FIG. 1  is described below. 
   The memory cell array  10  comprises flash memory cells MC connected between corresponding word lines WL 1 , WL 2 , . . . , WLi and corresponding bit lines BL 1 , BL 2 , . . . , BLj. The memory cell array  10  stores data “1” in the flash memory cells MC in an erase operation, and stores data “0” in a program operation. The row decoder  12  decodes a row address RA and generates a selection signal for selecting one of the word lines WL 1 , WL 2 , . . . , WLi. 
   The pre-discharge circuit  14  is connected between the respective bit lines BL 1 , BL 2 , . . . , BLj and a ground voltage, and comprises NMOS transistors N 1  with respective gates to which a pre-discharge control signal DISCH is applied. The pre-discharge circuit  14  pre-discharges the bit lines BL 1 , BL 2 , . . . , BLj to a ground voltage in response to the pre-discharge control signal DISCH. 
   The data input and output gate circuit  16  is connected between the respective bit lines BL 1 , BL 2 , . . . , BLj and a data line, shown here as a common node COM, and comprises NMOS transistors N 2  with respective gates to which corresponding column selection signals Y 1 , Y 2 , . . . , Yj are applied. The NMOS transistors N 2  are turned on in response to the corresponding column selection signals Y 1 , Y 2 , . . . , Yj and transmit data between the corresponding bit lines BL 1 , BL 2 , . . . , BLj and the common node COM. The column decoder  18  decodes a column address CA and generates the corresponding respective column selection signals Y 1 , Y 2 , . . . , Yj. The sense amplifier  20  detects a current change of the common node COM in response to a bias control signal BIAS in a read operation, and generates a sense output signal Sout. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of the sense amplifier shown in FIG.  1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sense amplifier in accordance with the conventional art comprises a PMOS transistor P 1  and an NMOS transistor N 3 . The PMOS transistor P 1  comprises a source to which a power supply voltage VDD is applied and gate and drain terminals connected to a sense output signal Sout generating terminal. The NMOS transistor N 3  comprises a drain connected to the sense output signal Sout generating terminal, a gate to which the bias control signal BIAS is applied and a source connected to the common node COM. 
   In  FIG. 2 , the NMOS transistor N 3  is larger than the PMOS transistor P 1  in transconductance. Voltage gain of the sense amplifier is the transconductance ratio of the PMOS transistor P 1  and the NMOS transistor N 3 . The operation of the circuit shown in  FIG. 2  is described below. 
   During the pre-discharge operation, if the pre-discharge control signal DISCH having a power supply voltage is generated, NMOS transistors N 2  are turned on in response to the pre-discharge control signal DISCH and the bit lines BL 1 , BL 2 , . . . , BLj become a ground voltage. At this time, because the bias control signal BIAS is at the ground voltage, the NMOS transistor N 3  is turned off and the sense output signal Sout has a voltage, VDD−Vtp, wherein the Vtp refers a threshold voltage of the PMOS transistor P 1 . 
   When a read command is applied, the bias control signal BIAS is driven to the power supply voltage and the pre-discharge control signal DISCH transitions to a ground voltage level. Accordingly, the NMOS transistors N 2  are turned off and the NMOS transistor N 3  is turned on. Thus, a current flows through the NMOS transistor N 3  and a voltage level of the common node COM increases. As the voltage of the common node COM increases, if a voltage difference between the gate and source of the NMOS transistor N 3  is less than a threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor N 3 , the NMOS transistor N 3  is turned off, which causes the voltage level of the common node COM to approach the bias voltage. 
   Upon the occurrence of such a condition, if the word line WL 1  selection signal and the column selection signal Y 1  are at the power supply voltage, the flash memory cell MC connected between the word line WL 1  and the bit line BL 1  is selected. If the flash memory cell MC stores a data “0”, the NMOS transistor N 1  and the flash memory cell MC are turned on and a current flows from the common node COM to the flash memory cell MC, which lowers the voltage level of the common node COM and turns on the NMOS transistor N 3 . As a result, current flows through the NMOS transistor N 3  and the voltage level of the sense output signal Sout generating terminal decreases. The voltage of the sense output signal Sout decreases by an amount of the voltage gain of the sense amplifier 20 times the reduced voltage of the common node COM. 
   If the selected flash memory cell MC stores a data “1”, the flash memory cell is turned off and current does not flow from the common node COM through the flash memory cell MC. Accordingly, the NMOS transistor N 4  is turned off and the sense output signal Sout remains at a voltage level of VDD−Vtp. 
   The minimum power supply voltage for operation of the sense amplifier shown in  FIG. 2  may be determined as follows. During a read operation, a minimum voltage of the data line is 0.4V and a minimum voltage difference between the drain and source of the NMOS transistor N 3  is 0.2V, a threshold voltage of the PMOS transistor P 1  is 0.4V, and an effective driving voltage of the PMOS transistor P 1  is 0.2V, when the flash memory cell MC stores data “0”. Accordingly, the minimum operating power supply voltage of the sense amplifier  20  is obtained by adding the above voltage values, which equals around 1.2V. 
   That is, the conventional sense amplifier shown in  FIG. 2  operates normally as long as no less than 1.2V of the power supply voltage is applied thereto. However, because a voltage drop of 0.4V occurs due to the PMOS transistor P 1  acting as a diode, a power supply voltage of less than 1.2V may cause the sense amplifier to malfunction. However, considering process parameter variations in fabricating the semiconductor memory device with the sense amplifier and variation in operating conditions, such as a temperature, the minimum power supply voltage at which the sense amplifier operates normally and stably typically is far greater than 1.2V. In conclusion, the conventional sense amplifier shown in  FIG. 2  may not operate normally and stably at a low power supply voltage, such as 1.0V or less. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to some embodiments of the present invention, a memory device comprises a memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory cells and cell select circuitry configured to selectively connect the plurality of memory cells to a data line, e.g., a common output node of a column selecting gate circuit. The device further comprises a bias circuit operative to charge the data line to a bias voltage responsive to a bias enable signal, and a sense amplifier circuit having an input coupled to the data line and including an output buffer. The sense amplifier circuit is operative to drive the output buffer according to a voltage on the data line responsive to a sense enable signal to thereby generate a sense amplifier output signal indicative of a state of a memory cell connected to the data line. 
   In some embodiments of the present invention, the bias circuit comprises a buffer having an input coupled to the data line and operative to be enabled and disabled responsive to the bias enable signal. The bias circuit further includes a first transistor having a drain coupled to the input of the buffer, a source coupled to a power supply node and a gate coupled to an output of the buffer, and a second transistor having a source coupled to the power supply node, a drain coupled to the output of the buffer, and a gate coupled to the bias enable signal. The first and second transistors may comprise respective PMOS transistors. 
   In further embodiments of the present invention, the sense amplifier circuit comprises first and second complementary transistors coupled in series between the data line and the power supply node and coupled to an input of the output buffer at a junction of the first and second transistors. A sense enable circuit is coupled to the data line and to a gate of the first transistor, and is operative to drive the gate of the first transistor responsive to the sense amplifier enable signal. In some embodiments, the sense enable circuit comprises an inverter having an input coupled to the data line and an output coupled to the gate of the first transistor, the inverter operative to be enabled and disabled responsive to the sense amplifier, and a third transistor having a drain coupled to an output of the inverter, a source coupled to a ground node, and a gate that receives the sense amplifier enable signal. In further embodiments, the data line is coupled to an input of the buffer, the output buffer comprises an inverter operative to be enabled and disabled responsive to the sense amplifier enable signal, and the sense amplifier circuit comprises a transistor coupled between the data line and the power supply node and having a gate that receives the sense amplifier enable signal. 
   According to some embodiments of the present invention, a memory device and a sense amplifier thereof capable of operating normally and stably at a low voltage not greater than 1.0V may be provided. In some embodiments, a semiconductor memory device comprising a) a memory cell array with a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of memory cells, b) a pre-discharge circuit for pre-discharging the bit lines during a pre-discharge operation, c) a data input/output gate circuit for transmitting data between the plurality of bit lines and a plurality of data lines during a read operation, and d) a sense amplifier including a bias circuit for biasing the data lines to a bias voltage level in response to a bias control signal during the read operation, and a sense amplifier circuit for detecting and amplifying voltage level changes of the data lines, and generating a sense output signal in response to a sense amplifier enable signal during the read operation. 
   In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a sense amplifier for use a semiconductor memory device comprising a bias circuit for biasing a sense input signal terminal to a bias voltage level in response to a bias control signal, and a sense amplifier circuit for generating a sense output signal by detecting and amplifying bias voltage level changes of the sense input signal terminal in response to a sense amplifier enable signal. 
   The bias circuit may comprise a first transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the data line, a second transistor operative to be turned on in response to the bias control signal to switch off the first transistor during the pre-discharge operation, and to be turned on when the sense amplifier enable signal is enabled during the read operation, and a first buffer that is enabled in response to the bias control signal for buffering a voltage of the data line during the read operation, and that is disabled when the sense amplifier enable signal is enabled during the read operation. 
   The sense amplifier circuit may comprise a third transistor connected between a power supply voltage and a first node for supplying a current to the first node, an inverter that is operative to be enabled in response to the sense amplifier enable signal for inverting a voltage level of the sense input signal terminal and transmitting the inverted voltage level to a second node, a fourth transistor connected between the second node and a ground voltage and operative to be turned off in response to the sense amplifier enable signal, a fifth transistor connected between the first node and the sense input signal terminal and operative to be turned on in response to a signal of the second node for letting a current flow from the first node to the sense input signal terminal, and a second buffer operative to be enabled in response to the sense amplifier enable signal for buffering a signal of the first node and generating the sense output signal. 
   The sense amplifier may comprise a third transistor connected between a power supply voltage and a first node for supplying a current to the first node, a fourth transistor connected between the first node and the sense input signal terminal for supplying a current to the sense input signal terminal by being turned on in response to the sense amplifier enable signal, and a second buffer for buffering a voltage signal of the sense input signal terminal and generating the sense output signal by being enabled in response to the sense amplifier enable signal. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a semiconductor device in accordance with the conventional art; 
       FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram of a sense amplifier in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the conventional art; 
       FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram of a sense amplifier in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a timing diagram showing exemplary operations of the sense amplifier shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram of a sense amplifier in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a timing diagram showing exemplary operations of the sense amplifier shown in FIG.  5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. It will be understood that when elements are referred to as being coupled to one another, this coupling may be direct or via one or more intervening elements. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a sense amplifier in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , a sense amplifier in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention comprises a bias circuit  30  including PMOS transistors P 2  and P 3  and a buffer BUF 1 , and an amplifier circuit  32  including a PMOS transistor P 4 , NMOS transistors N 4  and N 5 , an inverter INV and a buffer BUF 2 . 
   The PMOS transistor P 2  has a source to which a power supply voltage VDD is applied, a drain connected to a data line, here shown as a common node COM, and a gate connected to a node n 1 . It will be appreciated that the data line may be configured to be coupled to one or more memory cells using, for example, the cell select circuitry shown in FIG.  1 . The PMOS transistor P 3  has a drain connected to the node n 1 , a source to which a power supply voltage is applied, and a gate to which a bias control signal BEN is applied. The buffer BUF 1  has an input terminal connected to the common node COM, an output terminal connected to the node n 1  and an enable terminal to which a bias control signal BEN is applied. 
   The PMOS transistor P 4  has a source to which a power supply voltage VDD is applied, a gate connected to a ground voltage, and a drain connected to a node n 3 . The NMOS transistor N 4  has a drain connected to the drain of the PMOS transistor P 4 , a gate connected to a node n 2  and a source connected to the common node COM. The inverter INV has an input terminal connected to the common node COM, an output terminal connected to the node n 2  and an enable terminal to which a sense amplifier enable signal SEN is applied. The NMOS transistor N 5  has a drain connected to the node n 2 , a gate to which the sense amplifier enable signal SEN is applied, and a source connected to a ground voltage. The buffer BUF 2  has an input terminal connected to the node n 3 , an output terminal connected to a sense output signal Sout generating terminal, and an enable terminal to which the sense amplifier enable signal SEN is applied. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a timing diagram illustrating exemplary operations of the circuit shown in FIG.  3 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the pre-discharge control signal DISCH is maintained at a ground voltage level during the read operation and the bias control signal BEN is a pulse signal that rises to a logic “high” level in response to a falling edge of the pre-discharge control signal DISCH and that falls to a logic “low” level after a predetermined time period. The sense amplifier enable signal SEN is a pulse signal that falls to a logic “low” level in response to a falling edge of the bias control signal BEN and rises to a rising edge of the pre-discharge control signal DISCH. A word line WL 1  selection signal is a pulse signal that rises to a logic “high” level in response to a falling edge of the bias control signal BEN and that falls to a logic “low” level in response to a rising edge of the pre-discharge control signal DISCH. 
   During the time period T 1  of the pre-discharge operation, if the pre-discharge control signal DISCH is at the power supply voltage, the NMOS transistors N 2  shown in  FIG. 1  are turned on in response to the pre-discharge control signal DISCH and the bit lines BL 1 , BL 2 , . . . , BLj go to a ground voltage. In response to the bias voltage control signal BEN having a ground voltage, the buffer BUF 1  is switched off and the PMOS transistor P 3  is turned on, so that the node n 1  goes to the power supply voltage level, which turns off the PMOS transistor P 2 . Further, in response to the sense amplifier enable signal SEN being at the power supply voltage, the inverter INV and the buffer BUF 2  are disabled. At this time, the sense output signal Sout is driven to a power supply voltage. Further, because the PMOS transistor P 4  and the NMOS transistor N 4  are turned off, the node n 3  goes to the power supply voltage VDD. 
   During the bias time period T 2  in the read operation, the bias control signal BIAS is driven to the power supply voltage and the pre-discharge control signal DISCH transitions to a ground voltage level. Accordingly, the PMOS transistor P 3  is turned off, and the buffer BUF 1  buffers the signal of the common node COM, which is at the ground voltage, and drives the node n 1  to the ground voltage. Then, the PMOS transistor P 2  is turned on, and the voltage level of the common node COM increases. When a voltage level of the common node COM is higher than a threshold voltage VDD/2 of the buffer BUF 1 , the buffer BUF 1  drives the node n 1  to the power supply voltage. As a result, the PMOS transistor P 2  is turned off. 
   In such a way described above, the common node COM is biased to about a voltage VDD/2. At this time, the buffer BUF 2  is disabled in response to the sense amplifier enable signal SEN being at the power supply voltage and the sense output signal Sout maintains the power supply voltage level which is set during the time period T 1 . The node n 3  is maintained at the power supply voltage level because the PMOS transistor P 3  is turned on and the NMOS transistor N 4  is turned off. 
   During a sensing time period T 3  in the read operation, a flash memory cell MC connected between the word line WL 1  and the bit line BL 1  is selected in response to the word line WL and the column selection signal. At this time, if the selected flash memory cell MC stores a data “0”, the NMOS transistor N 2  and the flash memory cell MC shown in  FIG. 1  are turned on and a current flows from the common node COM through the flash memory cell MC. Accordingly, a voltage level of the common node is lowered. In response to the bias control signal BEN and the sense amplifier enable signal SEN having the ground voltage, the PMOS transistor P 3  is turned on, the NMOS transistor N 5  is turned off, the buffer BUF 1  is disabled, and the inverter INV and the buffer BUF 2  are enabled. 
   As the PMOS transistor P 3  is turned on, the node n 1  approaches the ground voltage. As a result, the PMOS transistor P 2  is turned on and a current is supplied to the common node COM. However, because a current continuously flows from the common node COM through the flash memory cell MC, a voltage level of the common node COM is gradually lowered. The inverter INV drives the node N 2  to the ground voltage if the voltage level of the common node COM is lowered to about VDD/2, a threshold voltage of the inverter INV. Then, the NMOS transistor N 4  is turned on and a current flows from the node n 3  to the common node COM. Accordingly, a voltage level of the node n 3  decreases. 
   At this time, because a transconductance of the PMOS transistor P 4  is small and a transconductance of the NMOS transistor N 4  is great, the voltage level of the node n 3  is gradually lowered. The buffer BUF 2  drives to sense output signal Sout to the ground voltage when voltage level of the node n 2  reaches to about VDD/2, a threshold voltage of the buffer BUF 2 . In the timing diagram of  FIG. 4 , voltages of the common node COM, the node n 3  and the sense output signal Sout for a memory cell storing a logic “0” are depicted with solid lines. 
   If the selected flash memory cell stores a data “1”, because the flash memory cell MC is turned off, a current does not flow from the common node through the flash memory cell MC. Accordingly, the voltage level of the common node COM does not change, and the inverter INV drives the node n 2  to the ground voltage and the NMOS transistor N 4  is turned off. The node n 3  is maintained at the power supply level and the buffer BUF 2  drives the sense output signal Sout to the power supply voltage. In the timing diagram of  FIG. 4 , voltage changes of the common node COM, the node N 3  and the sense output signal Sout in the case that the flash memory cell MC stores data “1” are depicted with dashed lines. 
   The minimum operating voltage for operation of the sense amplifier shown in  FIG. 3  can be determined as follows. During the read operation, the minimum voltage of the data line is about 0.4V, a threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor N 4  is at least about 0.4V, and the threshold voltage variation caused by the body effect is at least about 0.2V. The total sum of the voltages is about 1.0V. Accordingly, the sense amplifier shown in  FIG. 3  can operate at about a 1.0V power supply voltage. However, process parameter changes and temperature changes may be considered. Accordingly, it may be desirable that the minimum power supply voltage for operation of the sense amplifier be lower than 1.0V. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a sense amplifier in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the sense amplifier comprises a bias circuit  30  including PMOS transistors P 2  and P 3  and a buffer BUF 1 , and an amplifier circuit  34  including PMOS transistors P 5  and P 6  and a buffer BUF 3 . The bias circuit  30  shown in  FIG. 5  is the same as the bias circuit  30  of the sense amplifier shown in FIG.  3 . Accordingly, further discussion of the bias circuit  30  is omitted. 
   The amplifier circuit  34  comprises a PMOS transistor P 5  having a source to which a power supply voltage is applied and a gate to which a ground voltage is applied. The amplifier circuit  34  further includes a PMOS transistor P 6  with a source connected to a drain of the PMOS transistor P 5 , a gate connected to a sense amplifier enable signal SEN generating terminal and a drain connected to the common node COM. A buffer BUF 3  has an input terminal connected to the common node COM, an output terminal connected to a sense output signal Sout generating terminal and an enable terminal to which a sense enable signal SEN is applied. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a timing diagram of exemplary operations of the circuit shown in FIG.  5 . In  FIG. 6 , a bias control signal BEN, a sense amplifier enable signal SEN and word line WL selection signals are generated in the same way as shown in FIG.  4 . The bias circuit  30  in  FIG. 5  operates in the same way as the bias circuit shown in FIG.  3 . During a time period T 1  of the pre-discharge operation, the common node COM is driven to a ground voltage by action of the bias circuit  30 . When the sense amplifier enable signal SEN is driven to the power supply voltage, the PMOS transistor P 6  is turned off and the buffer BUF 3  is disabled. Accordingly, the sense output signal Sout is maintained at the power supply voltage level (as initially set). 
   During a bias time period T 2  in the read operation, the common node COM is driven to a power supply voltage level by the bias circuit  30 . During a sensing time period T 3  in the read operation, if the flash memory cell MC stores a data “0” (solid lines) and the flash memory cell MC is turned on, current flows through the common node COM to the flash memory cell MC, so that voltage level of the common node COM is lowered. When the sense amplifier enable signal SEN is driven to the ground voltage level, the PMOS transistor P 6  is turned on and the buffer BUF 3  is enabled. Accordingly, if the voltage level of the common node reaches to VDD/2, a threshold voltage of the buffer BUF 3 , the buffer BUF 3  drives the sense output signal Sout to the ground voltage level. 
   However, if the flash memory cell MC stores a data “1” and the flash memory cell MC is turned off (dashed lines), a current does not flow from the common node COM to the flash memory cell MC. Accordingly, the voltage level of the common node is not lowered and the buffer BUF 3  drives the sense output signal Sout to the power supply voltage. A leakage current which flows through the flash memory cells connected to a selected bit line from the common node is compensated, as the PMOS transistors P 5  and P 6  are designed to have very small size and the PMOS transistor P 6  is turned on during the time period T 3 . 
   For a sense amplifier operating in such a way as described above with reference to FIG.  5  and  FIG. 6 , the minimum operating power supply voltage for operation of the sense amplifier will be about 0.4V, which is a minimum voltage of the data line during the read operation. Voltage drops do not occur across the PMOS transistors P 5  and P 6 . The sense amplifier shown in  FIG. 5  may operate stably at a low power supply voltage of 1.0V because the minimum operating voltage thereof is 0.4V, even if process parameter variations that occur during fabrication are considered. 
   The above-described embodiments of the present invention relate a semiconductor memory device with flash memory cells and sense amplifiers, but it will be appreciated that the present invention may also be applied to a semiconductor memory device with read only memory cells and sense amplifiers. 
   In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 3