Bit-line precharge current limiter for CMOS dynamic memories

摘要

The memory comprises several word-lines and complementary bit-line pairs. A source of precharge voltage for precharges the complementary bit-line pairs. Several precharge equalisation circuits each of which comprises three field effect transistors. The one FET is connected across a corresponding complementary pair of bit-lines and the other two FET's are connected in series with a respective complementary pair of bit-lines. The gates of each of the FET's are connected to receive a precharge equalisation control signal. The precharge equalisation circuits is connected to the source of the precharge voltage. One precharge equalisation circuit precharges each of the complementary bit-line pairs. A current limiter limits the precharge current flowing into the complementary bit-line pairs to a precharge current limit value. The current limiter comprises a FET which is biased to limit current flow through the transistors to the precharge current limit value.