Patent ID: 6597601
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A thin film magnetic memory device, comprising:a plurality of memory cells each having an electric resistance according to a magnetization direction, wherein each memory cell is magnetized in a direction according to storage data thereof having either a first or second level; a data line that is electrically coupled to a selected memory cell for a prescribed period in data read operation; a read current supply circuit for supplying a data read current to said data line in order to produce a voltage according to the electric resistance of said selected memory cell onto said data line; and a data read circuit for producing read data corresponding to the storage data of said selected memory cell, based on a voltage on said data line electrically coupled to said selected memory cell in a first state and a voltage on said data line electrically coupled to said selected memory cell in a second state, said first state being a state where said selected memory cell has a same magnetization direction as before said data read operation, and said second stage being a state after said selected memory cell is subjected to a prescribed magnetic field.