Patent ID: 9159455
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: G06F,G11C

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: selecting a threshold data retention time of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory cell, wherein a pinned layer of the MTJ memory cell is configured to have a first direction of magnetization, and wherein a free layer of the MTJ memory cell is configured to have a second direction of magnetization; applying an external magnetic field to the MTJ memory cell, wherein the external magnetic field has a third direction of magnetization that is opposite to the second direction of magnetization, and wherein a strength of the external magnetic field is determined based on the threshold data retention time; subsequent to applying the external magnetic field, performing a read operation on the MTJ memory cell to determine a logic value of the MTJ memory cell; and determining whether the MTJ memory cell is subject to a data retention error corresponding to the threshold data retention time based on the logic value.