Patent ID: 6359805
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A thin film magnetic memory device, comprising:a memory array having a plurality of magnetic memory cells arranged in rows and columns, each of the plurality of magnetic memory cells having a resistance value that varies according to a level of storage data to be written when a data write magnetic field applied by first and second data write currents is larger than a predetermined magnetic field; a plurality of write word lines provided corresponding to the respective rows of the magnetic memory cells, and selectively activated according to an address selection result in a data write operation so as to cause said first data write current to flow therethrough; a plurality of bit line pairs provided corresponding to the respective columns of the magnetic memory cells, and each including first bit line and second bit line; a data write control circuit for setting, in said data write operation, one of said first bit line and said second bit line included in one of said plurality of bit line pairs that is selected according to said address selection result, to one of a high potential state and a low potential state as well as setting the other bit line to the other potential state; and a plurality of bit line current control circuits provided respectively corresponding to said plurality of bit line pairs, for electrically coupling the corresponding first and second bit lines to each other in said data write operation so as to cause said second data write current to flow therethrough.