Write assist for latch and memory circuits

摘要

One embodiment provides a system to assist setting a state of a latch system. The system includes a latch system connected to a node, the latch system residing in one of a first state and a second state. A charge storage device is coupled to maintain the node at a first voltage according to an amount of stored charge. A write assist system is connected between the node and a second voltage. The write assist network is configured, when the node is selected, to discharge the charge storage device and to pull the node from the first voltage to a discharge voltage that is outside a range defined by the first voltage and the second voltage to facilitate setting the latch system to another of the first state and the second state.