a compact , low - power , asynchronous , resistor - based memory read circuit includes a memory cell having a plurality of consecutive memory states , each of said states corresponding to a respective output voltage . a sense amplifier reads the state of the memory cell . the sense amplifier includes a voltage divider configured to receive the output voltage of the memory cell and to output a settled voltage an amplifier having a voltage threshold between the settled voltages associated with two of said consecutive memory states , configured to discriminate between said two consecutive memory states .