IP Library Granted Patent US 8,638,627
Granted Patent B2
US 8,638,627 · App. 13/347,450 · Granted Jan 28, 2014

Semiconductor memory device for minimizing mismatch of sense amplifier

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,638,627
App. No.
13/347,450
Granted
Jan 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor memory device is provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a cross-coupled latch type sense amplifier and a buffer that prevents mismatch. The buffer is formed between PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors of the sense amplifier so that mismatch for transistors operating in pair can be minimized.

Claims (23)

1. A semiconductor memory device, comprising:

a sense amplifier configured to sense and amplify a difference between signals of a bit line pair, the sense amplifier including PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors; and

a buffer, configured to prevent mismatch of threshold voltages of the PMOS transistors and the NMOS transistors, disposed in a region between a region of the PMOS transistors and a region of the NMOS transistors of the sense amplifier.

2. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the buffer includes an equalization transistor configured to cause voltage levels of the bit line pair to be equalized according to a precharge signal.

3. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the buffer includes a dummy transistor.

4. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the NMOS transistors are formed on an inner side of the buffer, and the PMOS transistors are formed on an outer side of the buffer that is closer to a sidewall of a photoresist covering the region of the PMOS transistors than the inner side.

5. The semiconductor memory device of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the NMOS transistors of the sense amplifier is spaced from the sidewall of the photoresist by 0.6 μm or more.

6. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the PMOS transistors are formed on an inner side of the buffer, and the NMOS transistors are formed on an outer side of the buffer that is closer to a sidewall of a photoresist covering the region of the NMOS transistors than the inner side.

7. The semiconductor memory device of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the PMOS transistors of the sense amplifier is spaced from the sidewall of the photoresist by 0.6 μm or more.

8. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the buffer includes an equalization transistor, and wherein the NMOS transistors of the sense amplifier are formed on an inner side of the equalization transistor and the PMOS transistors of the sense amplifier are formed on an outer side of the equalization transistor that is closer to a sidewall of a photoresist covering the region of the NMOS transistors than the inner side.

9. The semiconductor memory device of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the NMOS transistors of the sense amplifier is spaced from the sidewall of the photoresist by 0.6 μm or more.

10. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the buffer includes an equalization transistor, and wherein the PMOS transistors of the sense amplifier are formed on an inner side of the equalization transistor and the NMOS transistors of the sense amplifier are formed on an outer side of the equalization transistor that is closer to a sidewall of a photoresist covering the region of the PMOS transistors than the inner side.

11. The semiconductor memory device of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the PMOS transistors of the sense amplifier is spaced from the sidewall of the photoresist by 0.6 μm or more.

12. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the sense amplifier is a cross-coupled latch type sense amplifier.

13. A semiconductor memory device, comprising:

a sense amplifier configured to sense and amplify a difference between signals of a bit line pair, the sense amplifier including first type MOS transistors and second type MOS transistors; and

a buffer disposed in a region between a region of the first type MOS transistors and a region of the second type MOS transistors of the sense amplifier,

wherein the first type MOS transistors are formed on an inner side of the buffer, and the second type MOS transistors are formed on an outer side of the buffer that is closer to a sidewall of a photoresist covering the region of the second type MOS transistors than the inner side.

14. The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , wherein the first type MOS transistors are NMOS transistors and the second type MOS transistors are PMOS transistors.

15. The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , wherein the first type MOS transistors are PMOS transistors and the second type MOS transistors are NMOS transistors.

16. The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first type MOS transistors of the sense amplifier is spaced from the sidewall of the photoresist by 0.6 μm or more.

17. The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , wherein the buffer includes an equalization transistor configured to cause voltage levels of the bit line pair to be equalized according to a precharge signal.

18. The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , wherein the buffer includes a dummy transistor.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE IS HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC. NOT HYNIX-SEMICONDUCTOR INC. THERE IS NO HYPHEN IN THE NAME. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67328 FRAME 814. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded May 14, 2024
From: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 067412/0482 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2024
From: SK HYNIX INC.
To: MIMIRIP LLC
Reel/Frame 067369/0832 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 6, 2024
From: HYNIX-SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 067328/0814 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2012
From: KOO, DONG CHUL
To: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
Reel/Frame 027514/0756 →