Patent ID: 7952916
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A resistance-change memory comprising: a first bit line and a second bit line extending in the same direction; a third bit line extending parallel to the first bit line and the second bit line; a fourth bit line and a fifth bit line extending in the same direction; a sixth bit line extending parallel to the fourth bit line and the fifth bit line; a first memory element which comprises a first terminal connected to the first bit line and a second terminal connected to the third bit line, and is configured to change to either a first resistance state or a second resistance state; a first reference element comprising a first terminal connected to the fourth bit line and a second terminal connected to the sixth bit line, the first reference element being set in the first resistance state; a second reference element making a pair with the first reference element, comprising a first terminal connected to the fifth bit line and a second terminal connected to the sixth bit line, the second reference element being set in the second resistance state; and a sense amplifier comprising a first input terminal connected to the first bit line and a second input terminal connected to the fourth bit line, wherein the resistance-change memory is configured such that a first read current flows from the fourth bit line through the first reference element, then through the sixth bit line, and then through the second reference element to the fifth bit line while reading out data from the first memory element.