Word line decoder memory architecture
A clocked driver circuit can include a level shifter latch and a driver. The level shifter latch can be configured to receive an input signal upon a clock signal and generate a level shifted output signal. The driver can be configured to receive the level shifted output signal from the level shifter and drive the output signal on a line. The signal levels of the output signal can be greater than the signal level of the input signal.
1. A memory device comprising:
a plurality of word lines;
a level shifter latch configured to receive a plurality of decoded address signals upon a first state of a clock signal and to output a plurality of word line signals, wherein the level shifter latch includes
a first inverter including an input configured to receive one of the plurality of decoded address signals;
a second inverter including an input coupled to an output of the first inverter;
a first transmission gate including a first terminal coupled to the output of the first inverter, and a second terminal configured to receive a short pulse clock signal, wherein the short pulse clock signal is based on a rising edge of a system clock and has a shorter pulse width then the pulse width of the system clock;
a second transmission gate including a first terminal coupled to an output of the second inverter, and a second terminal configured to receive the short pulse clock signal;
third inverter circuit including an input coupled to a third terminal of the first transmission gate, power terminals coupled between a high voltage source, and an output terminal configured to output a first one of the plurality of word line signals; and
a fourth inverter circuit including a input coupled to a third terminal of the second transmission gate and the output of first inverter circuit, power terminals coupled between the high voltage source, and an output coupled to the input of the first inverter circuit; and
a word line driver configured to receive the plurality of word line signals and drive the plurality of word line signals on corresponding ones of the plurality of word lines.
2. The memory device of claim 1 , wherein,
the plurality of decoded address signals include a first state and a second state; and
the plurality of word line signals include a third state and a fourth state, wherein a potential difference between the third state and the fourth state is greater than a potential difference between the first state and the second state.
3. The memory device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an address buffer configured to receive and buffer a plurality of address signals;
a word line pre-decoder configured to receive the buffered plurality of address signals and output partially decoded address signals; and
a word line decoder configured to receive the partially decoded address signal and output the plurality of decoded address signals.
4. The memory device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an array of memory cells arranged in columns and rows, wherein sets of a first number of cells arranged along columns are coupled to corresponding ones of a plurality of bit lines and sets of a second number of cells arranged along rows are coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of word lines.
5. The memory device of claim 4 , wherein each memory cell includes a select gate and a Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) coupled in series between a corresponding one of the plurality of bit lines and a corresponding one of the plurality of source lines, and wherein a control terminal of the select gate is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of word lines.
6. The memory device of claim 4 , wherein the array of memory cells comprise an array of Spin Torque Magnetoresistive memory cells.
7. A memory device comprising:
a memory cell array including a plurality of word lines;
an address buffer configured to buffer a plurality of address signals, wherein the address buffer operates from a first supply potential;
an address decoder circuit configured to receive the buffered plurality of address signals and output a plurality of decoded address signals, wherein the address decoder operates from the first supply potential;
a level shifter latch configured to receive the plurality of decoded address signals upon a first state of a clock signal and to output a plurality of word line signals, wherein the level shifter latched operates form a second supply potential that is greater than the first supply potential, and wherein the level shifter latch includes;
a first inverter including an input configured to receive one of the plurality of decoded address signals;
a second inverter including an input coupled to an output of the first inverter;
a first transmission gate including a control terminal configured to receive the clock signal and an input coupled to the output of the first inverter;
a second transmission gate including a control terminal configured to receive the clock signal and an input coupled to the output of the second inverter; and
a latch including a third inverter cross coupled to a fourth inverter, wherein an input of the third inverter is coupled to an output of the first transmission gate and an output of the fourth inverter, wherein an input of the fourth inverter is coupled to an output of the second transmission gate and an output of the third inverter, and wherein the latch operates from a second supply potential that is greater than the first supply potential; and
a word line driver configured to receive the plurality of word line signals and drive the plurality of word line signals on corresponding ones of the plurality of word lines, wherein the word line driver operates form the second supply potential.
8. The memory device of claim 7 , wherein the memory cell array comprises a Magnetoresistive memory cell array.
9. The memory device of claim 7 , wherein the word line driver comprises:
an inverting driver including an input coupled to an output of the third inverter and an output coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of word lines, wherein the inverting driver operates from the second supply potential.