Patent ID: 6885579

Claim:
A magnetic random access memory comprising: a cross point cell array of memory cells arranged in a matrix of columns and rows, each of said memory cells having a magneto-resistance element; a column of dummy memory cells, each of said dummy memory cells having a magneto-resistance element; word lines provided for said rows of said memory cells and said dummy memory cells, respectively; bit lines provided for said columns of said memory cells, respectively; a dummy bit line provided for said column of dummy memory cells; and a read circuit connected with said cross point cell array and said dummy bit line, wherein a selected memory cell as one of said memory cells is connected with a selected word line and a selected bit line, and a selected dummy memory cell is connected with said dummy bit line and said selected word line, and when said selected memory cell is selected from among said memory cells in a read operation, said read circuit determines data stored in said selected memory cell using a difference between a detection electric current which flows through said selected bit line, said selected memory cell and said selected word line and a dummy bit line electric current which flows through said dummy bit line and said selected dummy memory cell.