Patent ID: 7826260

Claim:
A method of self-reference reading a spin-transfer torque memory unit, comprising: applying a first read current through a magnetic tunnel junction data cell and forming a first bit line read voltage, the magnetic tunnel junction data cell having a first resistance state, the magnetic tunnel junction comprising a free magnetic layer having a magnetization orientation; storing the first bit line read voltage in a first voltage storage device; applying a first magnetic field through the free magnetic layer the forming a magnetic field modified magnetic tunnel junction data cell, the magnetic field rotating the magnetization orientation of the free magnetic layer without switching a resistance state of the magnetic tunnel junction data cell; applying a second read current thorough the magnetic field modified magnetic tunnel junction data cell having the first resistance state and forming a second bit line read voltage, the first read current being less than the second read current; storing the second bit line read voltage in a second voltage storage device; and comparing the stored first bit line read voltage with the stored second bit line read voltage to determine whether the first resistance state of the magnetic tunnel junction data cell was a high resistance state or low resistance state.