PROGRAMMABLE CURRENT-LIMITED VOLTAGE BUFFER, INTEGRATED-CIRCUIT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CURRENT-LIMITING A MEMORY ELEMENT

摘要

A programmable current-limited voltage buffer (130-1). The programmable current-limited voltage buffer (130-1) includes at least one current-bias circuit (230-1), an inverter (230-2), a write-current set control circuit (230-3), and an adaptive current limiter (230-4). The inverter (230-2) is coupled to the current-bias circuit (230-1) and a reference-voltage source (178), and is configured to couple a row line (140-1) to either the current-bias circuit (230-1), or the reference-voltage source (178), in response to an input signal. The adaptive current limiter (230-4) is coupled to the current-bias circuit (230-1) and to the write-current set control circuit (230-3), and is configured to limit current flowing through the memory element (120-1) in a write operation. An integrated circuit device (110) is also provided, along with a method for current limiting a memory element (120-1) during switching in an array (120) of memory elements.