Dual port memory array circuitry is provided that includes bit line
voltage clamping circuitry. The clamping circuitry contains control
transistors that are used to enable and disable the clamping circuitry.
The clamping circuitry also contains voltage regulator transistors and
feedback paths. When a write operation is performed on one port of the
dual port memory array while a read operation is being performed on the
other port of the dual port memory array, the bit line voltage clamping
circuitry prevents the voltages on the read port bit lines from dropping
too low. This allows the write operation to be performed rapidly, even if
the memory cell being written to has been adversely affected by
variations due to process, voltage, and temperature.