Multi-supply symmetric driver circuit and timing method
View Patent ↗Circuit includes, in part, random access memory cells, column decoders, row decoders, and write driver circuit. Driver circuit is responsive to data and control signals. Writing data includes multiple write phases, each phase driving predetermined current through selected cell by driver setting predetermined voltages to first and second lines. Voltages are in sets such that sequential voltages of each set correspond to respective phase. During writing of first data to selected cell, driver circuit causes first signal line to be at second voltage set and second signal line to be at first voltage set. Second voltage set is greater than first voltage set. During writing of second data to selected cell, driver cause first signal line to be at third voltage set and second signal line to be at fourth voltage set. Third voltage set is smaller than the fourth voltage set.
1. A method of driving a first supply line and a second supply line associated with a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), the method comprising:
supplying at least a first voltage having a first magnitude during at least a first time period and at least a second voltage having a second magnitude different from the first magnitude during at least a second time period on the first supply line; and
supplying at least a third voltage having a third magnitude different from the first and second magnitudes during at least the first time period and at least a fourth voltage having a fourth magnitude different from the first, second and third magnitudes during at least the second time period on the second supply line,
wherein the first voltage magnitude is higher than the third voltage magnitude, and the second voltage magnitude is higher than the fourth voltage magnitude.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
supplying at least a fifth voltage having a fifth magnitude during at least a third time period and at least a sixth voltage having a sixth magnitude different from the fifth magnitude during at least a fourth time period on the first supply line, and
supplying at least a seventh voltage having a seventh magnitude different from the fifth and sixth magnitude during at least the third time period and at least an eighth voltage level having an eighth magnitude different from the fifth, sixth and seventh magnitude during at least the fourth time period on the second supply line.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
supplying a ground voltage during at least a third time period on the first supply line, and
supplying a ground voltage during at least the third time period on the second supply line.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
supplying at least the first voltage during at least a third time period on the first supply line, and
supplying at least the third voltage during at least the third time period on the second supply line.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the seventh voltage magnitude is higher than the fifth voltage magnitude, and the eighth voltage magnitude is higher than the sixth voltage magnitude.
6. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
supplying at least a fifth voltage having a fifth magnitude during at least a fourth time period, at least a sixth voltage having a sixth magnitude different from the fifth magnitude during at least a fifth time period, and supplying at least the fifth voltage having the fifth magnitude during at least a sixth time period on the first supply line, and
supplying at least a seventh voltage having a seventh magnitude different from the fifth and sixth magnitudes during at least the fourth time period, at least an eighth voltage having an eighth magnitude different from the fifth, sixth and seventh magnitudes during at least the fifth time period, and at least the seventh voltage having the seventh magnitude during at least the sixth time period on the second supply line.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first voltage magnitude is higher than the second voltage magnitude.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first voltage magnitude is lower than the second voltage magnitude.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein the seventh voltage magnitude is higher than the eighth voltage magnitude.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein the seventh voltage magnitude is lower than the eighth voltage magnitude.