Differential sense amplifier with cross connected reference circuits

摘要

One embodiment of the differential sense amplifier of the present includes a pair of amplifier portions, each of which includes a reference branch and an amplifying branch. Each amplifier portion amplifies one input signal of the differential input signal applied to the differential sense amplifier by an amount related to the difference between the applied input signal and a reference signal established by the reference branch of the amplifier portion. The input signals are cross-coupled between the amplifier portions so that each input signal is applied to the reference branch of one amplifier portion and to the amplifying branch of the other amplifier portion. Separate reference nodes and reference signals are established for each amplifier portion. A change in the differential input signal creates correspondingly opposite changes in the magnitude of the reference signal and the input signal applied to the amplifying branch of both amplifier portions to provide greater gain and sensitivity.