Abstract: A static, low-power differential sense amplifier (DSA) and method includes operation of cross-linked channels having complementary differential nodes separated from ground by corresponding parallel-transistor pairs. The DSA output channels have complementary output nodes separated from ground by corresponding parallel-transistor pairs. The DSA further includes logic gates to produce a sense amplifier output. Each logic gate is driven by a corresponding complementary differential node and an opposite complimentary output node. The DSA includes transistors activating a done line under control of the complementary differential nodes.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder generates a branch metric table from first and second data signals taken at two sample times and provides selected branch metrics to an add/compare/select circuit in response to branch indices from a branch index generator. The branch metrics in the branch metric table are the sixteen combinations of the sum of the first and second parallel data signals at first and second sample times and the inverse of such signals. The branch index generator generates the branch indices in response to a received state from the add/compare/select circuit, convolutional code polynomials and the possible states of a radix-4 trellis. The add/compare/select generates a survivor path decision based on the selected branch metrics.