Memory cell with power supply induced reversed-bias pass transistors for reducing off-leakage current

摘要

A memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell operating within a power supply range that induces the pass transistor(s) of the memory cell to be reversed biased when the memory cell is not being accessed. The memory cell includes a storage element capable of storing either a first data value or a second data value, a pass transistor, coupled to the storage element, and a power supply generator is coupled to the storage element. The power supply generator is configured to generate supply level voltages for the storage element so as to induce the pass transistor into a substantially reverse-biased state when the storage element is not being accessed, regardless of whether the storage element is storing the first data value or a second data value.