METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR READING A FULL-SWING MEMORY ARRAY

Techniques for reducing power when reading a full-swing memory array are disclosed. The full-swing memory array includes a plurality of local bit lines (240A,240B) and a global bit line (253). In order to reduce power consumption, a method of driving the global bit line (253) includes the step of coupling the plurality of local bit lines (240A,240B) to the global bit line (253) through a plurality of tri-state devices (255). The method further includes the steps of generating a global select signal (250) to enable one of the plurality of tri-state devices (255) and selecting a corresponding local bit line (240A,240B) to drive the output of the enabled tri-state device (255). In this way, the global bit line (253) is statically driven so that consecutive reads of bits having the same value read over the global bit line (253) do not result in transitioning the state of the global bit line (253).