Patent ID: 11889702
Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H  G | IPC G  H

Claim 17:
18. A method of operating the memory device of claim 1, comprising:
performing a sensing operation that determines a magnetization state of the free layer by applying a sense voltage across the second electrode and the first electrode and by measuring magnetoresistance of the magnetic tunnel junction;
performing a comparison operation that determines whether the magnetization state of the free layer is at a target magnetization state selected from an upward-pointing magnetization state and a downward-pointing magnetization state; and
applying a programming pulse across the second electrode and the first electrode only if the magnetization state of the free layer is not the target magnetization state, and not applying the programming pulse if the magnetization state of the free layer is the target magnetization state.