Patents Examined by Anh-Qua Tra
  • Patent number: 6184722
    Abstract: A latch-type sense amplifier receives a low level differential small swing input signal pair. The amplifier includes a pair of MOSFET switches of a first conductivity type each having a first source/drain terminal coupled to one of the input signal lines. The latch has a second pair of MOSFETs of the first conductivity type with its first source/drain terminal connected to the second source/drain terminal of one of the first pair of MOSFETs. Each of the second pair of MOSFETs has its first source/drain terminal connected to the first source/drain terminal of a third pair of MOSFETs of the second conductivity type. Each MOSFET of the second conductivity type has its second source/drain terminal connected to a first voltage source. The gate terminals of the second pair of MOSFETs are connected together to receive a control signal. The gate terminals of each of the third pair of MOSFETs are cross-coupled and connected to the second source/drain terminals of the first pair of MOSFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Hayakawa