1. A multi-port register file memory, the memory comprising:
at least one storage element;
at least one read port coupled to said storage element; and
a differential sensing device coupled to at least said read port and adapted to sense a predefined voltage swing.
2. The register file memory of claim 1, wherein the register file memory operates asynchronously.
3. The register file memory of claim 1, wherein the register file memory operates synchronously.
4. The register file memory of claim 1, wherein said voltage swing is at least a portion of the total voltage supply.
5. The register file memory of claim 4, where said voltage swing is about 100 millivolts typically.
6. The register file memory of claim 1, wherein said voltage swing is defined relative to a top rail of a voltage supply.
7. The register file memory of claim 1, wherein said differential sensing device is a two-stage analog-style sense amplifier.
8. The register file memory of claim 7, wherein said two-stage analog-style sense amplifier includes at least one amplifier enhancing device.
9. The register file memory of claim 7, wherein said two-stage analog-style sense amplifier includes at least one trip-level-shifted inverter device.
10. The register file memory of claim 7, wherein said two-stage analog-style sense amplifier includes at least one power switch device adapted to turn off power to said two-stage analog-style sense amplifier.
11. The register file memory of claim 7, wherein said two-stage analog-style sense amplifier includes a voltage reference device.
12. The register file memory of claim 1, wherein said read port comprises a pair of transistors, wherein at least one transistor of said pair is larger with respect to another transistor of said pair.
13. A multi-port register file memory adapted to be used in applications where a power supply of less than about 1.08 volts occurs, the memory comprising:
at least one memory cell;
a differential sensing circuit adapted to sense a small voltage swing;
a voltage reference device coupled to said differential sensing circuit; and
a latched output coupled to differential sensing device.
14. The memory device of claim 13, wherein said memory cell includes at least one storage element.
15. The memory device of claim 13, wherein said memory cell further includes two read port pairs coupled to said storage element.
16. The memory device of claim 15, wherein each of said read port pairs includes two transistors of different sizes.
17. The memory device of claim 13, wherein said differential sensing circuit includes two amplifier enhancing devices.
18. The memory device of claim 13 including more than one write port.
19. The memory device of claim 13 including more than one read port.
20. A multi-port register file memory adapted to be used in applications where a power supply of less than about 1.08 volts occurs, the memory comprising:
a plurality of storage elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;
at least one read port and one write port coupled to each of said storage elements;
a differential sensing device adapted to sense a small voltage swing;
a voltage reference device coupled to said differential sensing device; and
a latched output circuit coupled to differential sensing device.
21. A multi-port register file memory, the memory comprising:
a plurality of storage elements arranged in rows and columns;
means for selecting one of said storage elements; and
means for differentially sensing a small bitline voltage swing.
22. A method for improving speed and increasing performance in a multi-port register file memory having a plurality of storage elements, the method comprising:
selecting at least one of the storage elements; and
differentially sensing a small voltage swing.
23. A method for reading data stored in a multi-port register file memory having a plurality of storage elements arranged in rows and columns, the method comprising:
selecting one of the storage elements;
flowing a current through at least one transistor of the memory cell in the selected storage element;
causing an output of a sense amplifier connected to at least one said selected memory cells to switch accessed data to full CMOS logic levels.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A displacement pump for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid comprising:
a cylindrical chamber coupled to a fluid dispensing outlet having a first one-way check valve, the cylindrical chamber defining an internal volume for storing at least the predetermined volume of fluid;
a fluid inlet coupled to the cylindrical chamber, the fluid inlet including a second one-way check valve;
a piston slidable in the cylindrical chamber towards the fluid dispensing outlet;
a threaded drive rod connected to the piston;
a stepper motor in threaded engagement with the threaded drive rod, the stepper motor rotatable by a number of steps to slide the piston towards the fluid dispensing outlet by a distance corresponding to the predetermined volume;
a guide tube having one end coupled to the cylindrical chamber and another end coupled to the steeper motor, the guide tube housing a portion of the threaded drive rod for shielding the portion of the threaded drive rod from contaminants, and
a rod guide fixed to the threaded drive rod and slidable within the guide tube, the rod guide matingly engaging an inner surface of the guide tube to inhibit rotation of the threaded drive rod.
2. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the fluid dispensing outlet and the fluid inlet are integrated within a front flange, the front flange having a recessed portion for receiving the cylindrical chamber.
3. The displacement pump according to claim 1, further including a storage tank having a rigid fluid conduit coupled to the fluid inlet.
4. The displacement pump according to claim 3, wherein the storage tank includes an aperture for receiving fluid, and a tank cap for covering the aperture.
5. The displacement pump according to claim 4, wherein the tank cap is configured for sealing the aperture, the tank cap further including a third one way check valve for allowing entry of air into the storage tank while preventing exit of fluid vapor from the storage tank.
6. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the piston includes a piston seal.
7. The displacement pump according to claim 6, wherein the piston seal includes contact edge having a width to resist bowing.
8. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the guide tube has a length substantially equal to the length of the cylindrical chamber.
9. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical chamber is constructed of acrylic.
10. The displacement pump according to claim 1, further including a sensor to detect when the threaded drive rod reaches a fully withdrawn position.
11. A dispensing system for providing a predetermined volume of fluid corresponding to a user selection, comprising:
a user interface for providing electrical selection signals in response to the user selection;
a microprocessor for receiving the electrical selection signals and accessing stored displacement pump calibration data in response to the electrical selection signals, the microprocessor calculating the predetermined volume of fluid to dispense corresponding to the electrical selection signals and the stored displacement pump calibration data, for providing pump control data;
a pump driver for receiving the pump control data and providing motor drive signals; and,
a displacement pump including
a cylindrical chamber coupled to a fluid dispensing outlet having a first one-way check valve, the cylindrical chamber defining an internal volume for storing at least the predetermined volume of fluid,
a fluid inlet coupled to the cylindrical chamber, the fluid inlet including a second one-way check valve,
a piston slidable in the cylindrical chamber towards the fluid dispensing outlet,
a threaded drive rod connected to the piston,
a stepper motor in threaded engagement with the threaded drive rod, the stepper motor rotating in response to the motor drive signals by a number of steps to slide the piston towards the fluid dispensing outlet by a distance corresponding to the predetermined volume of fluid,
a guide tube having one end coupled to the cylindrical chamber and another end coupled to the stepper motor, the guide tube housing a portion of the threaded drive rod for shielding the portion of the threaded drive rod from contaminants, and
a rod guide fixed to the threaded drive rod and slidable within the guide tube, the rod guide matingly engaging an inner surface of the guide tube to inhibit rotation of the threaded drive rod.
12. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes a button panel for receiving the user selection.
13. The dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein the button panel is arranged to represent categories of variables.
14. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes an LCD panel.
15. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein user interface includes a communication port for receiving programming data.
16. The dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein the communication port includes a wired port.
17. The dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein the communication port includes a wireless port.
18. The dispensing system according to claim 11, further including a plurality of displacement pumps, and a relay system for selectively coupling the motor drive signals to one of the plurality of displacement pumps.
19. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of displacement pumps is coupled to a corresponding plurality of storage tanks.
20. The dispensing system according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of displacement pumps and the corresponding plurality of storage tanks are contained within a cabinet.
21. The dispensing system according to claim 20, wherein the fluid dispensing outlet of each of the plurality of displacement pumps is coupled by a flexible tube to a nozzle cap mounted to the cabinet.
22. The dispensing system according to claim 21, wherein the nozzle cap includes a plurality of individual channels, each individual channel being coupled to one of the flexible tubes.