MEMORY ARRAY ARCHITECTURES HAVING MEMORY CELLS WITH SHARED WRITE ASSIST CIRCUITRY

Abstract A memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells each having first and second power supply nodes, first and second virtual power supply nodes, a latch circuit, and a write assist circuit. The latch circuit includes a first and second inverters in a cross-coupled inverter configuration. The first inverter is connected between the first virtual power supply node and the second power supply node, and the second inverter is connected between the second virtual power supply node and the second power supply node. The write assist circuit selectively supplies power to the first and second virtual power supply nodes during memory access operations, and is controlled by a first control signal to switchably connect the first power supply node to and from the first and second virtual power supply nodes, and a second control signal to switchably connect the one or both of the first and second virtual power supply nodes to a virtual power supply node of an adjacent memory cell of an adj acent row in the memory array.