Memory device and method for sensing a content of a memory cell

摘要

A memory device to sense a content of a memory cell includes: a pair of bit-lines; a memory cell coupled between the bit-lines; and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit has at least two inputs for receiving respective currents from a current conveyor, and senses, when operating in a sensing mode, a difference between output currents. The difference between the output currents represents a content of the memory cell. The sensing circuit includes an output for outputting an output signal that represents the content of the memory cell. The current conveyor isolates the sensing circuit from the bit-lines, when the current conveyor is operated in an isolation mode, and has at least two outputs for providing, to the sensing circuit, output currents representing bit-lines currents; and equalizing the output currents before the current conveyor starts to operate in a current conveying mode.

主权项

1. A memory device, comprising:
a pair of bit-lines; a memory cell coupled between the pair of bit-lines; a sensing circuit having at least two inputs for receiving respective output currents from a current conveyor, said sensing circuit being arranged to sense, when operating in a sensing mode, a difference between said output currents, said difference between the output currents representing a content of the memory cell; and said sensing circuit comprising an output for outputting an output signal that represents the content of the memory cell; and said current conveyor, coupled to the pair of bit-lines and to the sensing circuit, for:
isolating the sensing circuit from the bit-lines when the current conveyor is operated in an isolation mode, wherein a source current having a pre-charge value is provided to the memory cell when the current conveyor operated in the isolation mode, said current conveyor having at least two outputs for providing, to the sensing circuit when the sensing circuit operated in the sensing mode, output currents representing bit-lines currents, wherein a source current of a second value is provided when the sensing circuit operates in the sensing mode; wherein the second value is lower than the pre-charge value; andequalizing currents to be output as the output currents before the current conveyor starts to operate in a current conveying mode, wherein the sensing circuit enters the sensing mode after the current conveyor exits the current conveying mode.