Patent ID: 6778432
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A thin film magnetic memory device comprising:a memory array in which a plurality of memory cells each magnetically storing data are arranged in a matrix; and a program circuit for storing information used for at least one of an operation of reading data and an operation of writing data from/to said plurality of memory cells, wherein said program circuit includes a plurality of program cells each for storing program data constructing said information, each of said memory cells and said program cells has a magnetic storing part having first and second electric resistances in correspondence with two magnetization directions respectively, and said program circuit further includes: a driver circuit for irreversibly fixing electric resistance in said magnetic storing part in selected one of said plurality of program cells to a third electric resistance with physical destruction; and a sense driver circuit capable of sensing which one of said first and second electric resistances is provided for said magnetic storing part in selected one of said plurality of program cells in a first mode, said sense driver circuit can sense whether any one of said first and second electric resistances, or third electric resistance is provided for said magnetic storing part in selected one of said plurality of program cells in a second mode, and said first electric resistance is larger than said second electric resistance, and said second electric resistance is larger than said third electric resistance.