Patent ID: 6762953
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A nonvolatile memory device comprising:a plurality of memory cells through which a passing current flows according to stored data at the time of data reading; a first and second data lines; a differential amplifying unit for performing data reading in accordance with a passing current difference between said first and second data lines; and a reference voltage supply unit for generating a passing current to be used to compare with a selected memory cell out of said plurality of memory cells in one of said first and second data lines at the time of said data reading, wherein at the time of said data reading, one of said first and second data lines is electrically connected to a first voltage through said selected memory cell, and the other of said first and second data lines is electrically connected to said reference current supply unit, and said differential amplifying unit includes: a first current mirror circuit arranged between said one data line and a second voltage so as to maintain the voltage of said one data line at a predetermined level at the time of said data reading, and to supply a first mirror current according to the passing current of said one data line, to a first internal node; a second current mirror circuit arranged between said other data line and said second voltage so as to maintain the voltage of said other data line at said predetermined level at the time of said data reading, and to supply a second mirror current according to the passing current of said other data line, to a second internal node; and an amplifying unit for outputting read data according to the difference between the mirror currents to be supplied to said first and second internal nodes at the time of said data reading.