In a method for accessing memory cells, a first read operation is performed on a first memory cell to read a first data value from the first memory cell. During the first read operation, a first variable current source provides a first assessment current having a first current level to a first bitline coupled to the first memory cell. A second read operation is performed on the first memory cell to read a second data value from the first memory cell. During the second read operation, the first variable current source manipulates the first current level to provide a second current level to the first bitline. A difference between the first current level and the second current level is based on whether the first data value that was read during the first read operation was a first data state or a second data state.

A memory includes: a plurality of row lines; a plurality of column lines; and a plurality of memory cells each of which is coupled to one row line among the row lines and one column line among the column lines, wherein memory cells corresponding to a row line which is selected based on a row address among the row lines are simultaneously activated, and data are read from memory cells corresponding to column lines which are selected based on a column address among the activated memory cells, and the selected column lines are not adjacent to each other.

Methods, systems, and devices for programmable column access are described. A device may transfer voltages from memory cells of a row in a memory array to respective digit lines for the memory cells. The voltages may be indicative of logic values stored at the memory cells. The device may communicate respective control signals to a set of multiplexers coupled with the digit lines, where each multiplexer is coupled with a respective subset of the digit lines. Each multiplexer may couple a digit line of the respective subset of digit lines with a respective sense component for that multiplexer based on the respective control signal for that multiplexer.

A circuit module with reliable margin configuration, may include a main circuit, a first auxiliary circuit and a second auxiliary circuit. When the first auxiliary circuit is on, the second auxiliary circuit may be on or off according to whether a control signal is of a first level or a second level. When the first auxiliary circuit and the second auxiliary circuit are both on, the first auxiliary circuit and the second auxiliary circuit may jointly cause an operation parameter of the main circuit to be a first value. When the first auxiliary circuit is on and the second auxiliary circuit is off, the first auxiliary circuit may cause the operation parameter to be a second value. An operation margin of the main circuit may cover a range between the first value and the second value.

A memory is provided that is configured to practice both a conventional normal read operation and also a burst mode read operation. During the normal read operation, the memory pre-charges the bit lines in a group of multiplexed columns. Each column has a sense amplifier that latches a bit decision for the column during the normal read operation. If a subsequent read operation addresses the same group of multiplexed columns, the memory invokes the burst-mode read operation during which the bit lines are not pre-charged.

A memory is provided that is configured to practice both a conventional normal read operation and also a burst mode read operation. During the normal read operation, the memory pre-charges the bit lines in a group of multiplexed columns. Each column has a sense amplifier that latches a bit decision for the column during the normal read operation. If a subsequent read operation addresses the same group of multiplexed columns, the memory invokes the burst-mode read operation during which the bit lines are not pre-charged.

A column control circuit may include a column control signal generation circuit and a column access block signal generation circuit. The column control signal generation circuit is configured to activate an input/output strobe signal when a column access block signal is deactivated. The column control signal generation circuit is configured to deactivate the input/output strobe signal when the column access block signal is activated. The column access block signal generation circuit is configured to activate the column access block signal when gap-less read commands may be inputted. The column access block signal generation circuit may deactivate the column access block signal during a period corresponding to an N-th read command among the gap-less read commands. N is an integer that is no less than 2.

A column control circuit may include a column control signal generation circuit and a column access block signal generation circuit. The column control signal generation circuit is configured to activate an input/output strobe signal when a column access block signal is deactivated. The column control signal generation circuit is configured to deactivate the input/output strobe signal when the column access block signal is activated. The column access block signal generation circuit is configured to activate the column access block signal when gap-less read commands may be inputted. The column access block signal generation circuit may deactivate the column access block signal during a period corresponding to an N-th read command among the gap-less read commands. N is an integer that is no less than 2.

A signal generator includes a first amplifier for outputting an amplified voltage in response to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, a divider circuit for dividing the amplified voltage to generate a divided voltage and the feedback voltage, and a buffer group for outputting a common sensing signal in response to the amplified voltage and outputting a sensing signal in response to the divided voltage, and a memory device including the signal generator.

A signal generator includes a first amplifier for outputting an amplified voltage in response to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, a divider circuit for dividing the amplified voltage to generate a divided voltage and the feedback voltage, and a buffer group for outputting a common sensing signal in response to the amplified voltage and outputting a sensing signal in response to the divided voltage, and a memory device including the signal generator.