Abstract
A digital memory element has a sense circuit latch to read the value stored in a bit cell. Before addressing a word line, the bit lines are precharged. During the read operation, a bit line is coupled to a supply voltage through a bit cell memory element that has different resistances at logic states “0” and “1.” A reference bit line is coupled to the supply voltage through a comparison resistance value, especially a resistance between high and low resistance of the memory element in the two logic states. Voltages on the bit line and reference bit line ramp toward a switching threshold at rates related to the resistance values. The first line to discharge to switching threshold voltage sets the sense circuit latch.