Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a magnetic memory device, and more specifically, it relates to a magnetic memory device including a storage element exhibiting ferromagnetic tunneling. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     An MRAM (magnetic random access memory), which is a nonvolatile memory recording data through magnetism is known in general. This MRAM is disclosed in detail in Nikkei Electronics, 1999. 11. 15 (No. 757), pp. 49-56 or the like. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams for illustrating the structure of a storage element  110  of the MRAM disclosed in the aforementioned literature. Referring to FIG. 9, the storage element  110  of the conventional MRAM comprises a ferromagnetic layer  101 , another ferromagnetic layer  103  and a nonmagnetic layer  102  arranged between the ferromagnetic layers  101  and  103 . 
     The ferromagnetic layer  101  is harder to invert than the ferromagnetic layer  103 . The term “ferromagnetism” indicates magnetism in a case where magnetic atoms or free atoms of a metal orientate magnetic moments in parallel with each other by positive exchange interaction to form spontaneous magnetization, and a substance exhibiting this ferromagnetism is referred to as a ferromagnetic substance. The ferromagnetic layers  101  and  103  consist of such ferromagnetic substances. In general, a GMR (giant magnetoresistance) film employing a metal is employed as the nonmagnetic layer  102 . A TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance) film employing an insulator is recently developed as the nonmagnetic layer  102 . This TMR film advantageously has higher resistance than the GMR film. More specifically, the MR ratio (the rate of change of resistance) of the GMR film is in the 10% level, while that of the TMR film is at least 20%. The storage element  110  consisting of the TMR film is hereinafter referred to as a TMR element  110 . 
     The storage principle of the conventional MRAM employing the TMR element  110  is now described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the state where the two ferromagnetic layers  101  and  103  are magnetized in the same direction (parallel) is associated with data “0”. As shown in FIG. 10, the state where the two ferromagnetic layers  101  and  103  are magnetized in the opposite directions (antiparallel) is associated with data “1”. The TMR element  110  exhibits small resistance (R 0 ) when the directions of magnetization are parallel, while exhibiting large resistance (R 1 ) when the directions of magnetization are antiparallel. “0” or “1” is determined through the resistance of the TMR element  110  varying with the parallel or antiparallel directions of magnetization. 
     FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of a conventional MRAM  150  having memory cells each formed by a TMR element and a transistor. The structure of the conventional MRAM  150  is now described with reference to FIG.  11 . 
     A memory cell array  151  is formed by arranging a plurality of memory cells  120  in the form of a matrix (FIG. 11 shows only four memory cells  120  for simplifying the illustration). Each memory cell  120  is formed by a TMR element  110  and an NMOS transistor  111 . 
     In the memory cells  120  arranged in a row direction, the gates of the NMOS transistors  111  are connected to common read word lines RWL a  to RWL n . In the memory cells  120  arranged in the row direction, further, rewrite word lines WWL a  to WWL n  are arranged on first ferromagnetic layers of the TMR elements  110 . 
     In the memory cells  120  arranged in a column direction, first ferromagnetic layers of the TMR elements  110  are connected to common bit lines BL a  to BL n . 
     The read word lines RWL a  to RWL n  are connected to a row decoder  152 , while the bit lines BL a  to BL n  are connected to a column decoder  153 . 
     Externally specified row and column addresses are input in an address pin  154 , and transferred from the address pin  154  to an address latch  155 . In the addresses latched by the address latch  155 , the row address is transferred to the row decoder  152  through an address buffer  156 , and the column address is transferred to the column decoder  153  through the address buffer  156 . 
     The row decoder  152  selects a read word line RWL corresponding to the row address latched by the address latch  155  from the read word lines RWL a  to RWL n , while selecting a rewrite word line WWL corresponding to the row address latched by the address latch  155  from the rewrite word lines WWL a  to WWL n . The row decoder  152  further controls the potentials of the read word lines RWL a  to RWL n  and the potentials of the rewrite word lines WWL a  to WWL n  on the basis of a signal from a voltage control circuit  157 . 
     The column decoder  153  selects a bit line BL corresponding to the column address latched by the address latch  155  from the bit lines BL a  to BL n , while controlling the potentials of the bit lines BL a  to BL n  on the basis of a signal from another voltage control circuit  158 . 
     Externally specified data is input in a data pin  159  and transferred from the data pin  159  to the column decoder  153  through an input buffer  160 . The column decoder  153  controls the potentials of the bit lines BL a  to BL n  in correspondence to the data. 
     Data read from an arbitrary memory cell  120  is transferred from any of the bit lines BL a  to BL n  to a sense amplifier group  161  through the column decoder  153 . The sense amplifier group  161  is formed by current sense amplifiers. The data determined by the sense amplifier group  161  is output from an output buffer  162  through the data pin  159 . 
     A control core circuit  163  controls operations of the aforementioned circuits  152  to  162 . 
     Write (rewrite) and read operations of the conventional MRAM  150  having the aforementioned structure are now described. 
     Write Operation 
     In the write operation, orthogonal currents are fed to the selected rewrite word line WWL and the selected bit line BL. Thus, data can be rewritten only in the TMR element  110  located on the intersection between the bit line BL and the rewrite word line WWL. More specifically, the currents flowing through the rewrite word line WWL and the bit line BL generate magnetic fields, and the sum (combined magnetic field) of the two magnetic fields acts on the TMR element  110 . This combined magnetic field inverts the directions of magnetization of the TMR element  110  from “1” to “0”, for example. 
     The TMR elements  110  located on positions other than the aforementioned intersection include those fed with no currents and those only unidirectionally fed with currents. In each TMR element  110  fed with no current, no magnetic field is generated and hence the directions of magnetization remain unchanged. In each TMR element  110  only unidirectionally fed with a current, a magnetic field is generated in a magnitude insufficient for inverting the directions of magnetization. Therefore, the directions of magnetization remain unchanged in the TMR element  110  only unidirectionally fed with a current. 
     As hereinabove described, the directions of magnetization of the TMR element  110  located on the interposition between the selected bit line BL and the selected rewrite word line WWL can be changed as shown in FIG. 9 or  10  by feeding currents to the bit line BL and the rewrite word line WWL corresponding to the selected address. Thus, the data “0” or “1” can be written. 
     Read Operation 
     In order to read the data written in the aforementioned manner, a voltage is applied to the read word line RWL for rendering the NMOS transistor  111  conductive. In this state, determination is made as to whether or not the value of a current flowing through the bit line BL is larger than a reference current value, thereby determining “1” or “0”. 
     In this case, the directions of magnetization are parallel in the case of the data “0” shown in FIG. 9, and hence the resistance value (R 0 ) is small. Therefore, the value of the current flowing through the bit line BL is larger than the reference current value. In the case of the data “1” shown in FIG. 10, on the other hand, the directions of magnetization are antiparallel and hence the resistance value (R 1 ) is larger than that shown in FIG.  9 . Therefore, the value of the current flowing through the bit line BL is smaller than the reference current value. 
     In the aforementioned conventional MRAM  150 , the potential of the bit line BL must be set to a small level of not more than 0.4 V for detecting the current value in data reading. This is because resistance change of the TMR element  110  cannot be confirmed unless potential difference across the TMR element  110  is small. Therefore, the potential difference across the TMR element  110  must be small (not more than 0.4 V), leading to a small current value. The structure of the sense amplifier (amplifier) is disadvantageously complicated in order to detect such a small current value. Further, the reading speed is reduced when detecting the small current value. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic memory device having a sense amplifier (amplifier) not complicated in structure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic memory device capable of improving the reading speed as compared with a case of detecting a small current value for determining data. 
     A magnetic memory device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a memory cell consisting of a storage element exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance and a transistor connected to the storage element, a word line connected to a control terminal of the transistor, a bit line connected to a first end of the storage element through the transistor, a reference bit line provided in common for a plurality of bit lines and an amplifier connected to the bit line and the reference bit line, for reading potential difference caused between the bit line and the reference bit line with the amplifier in data reading. 
     In the magnetic memory device according to this aspect, the memory cell is formed by a storage element exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance and a transistor while the amplifier detects the potential difference between the bit line connected to the storage element and the reference bit line as hereinabove described, whereby data can be readily read. Thus, no value of a small current flowing through the bit line may be detected dissimilarly to the prior art, whereby the structure of the amplifier is not complicated. The amplifier reads the potential difference caused between the bit line and the reference bit line, whereby data can be readily detected also when the storage element has high resistance dissimilarly to the prior art reading the value of the small current flowing through the bit line. 
     The magnetic memory device according to this aspect is so structured as to detect the potential difference between the bit line and the reference bit line with the amplifier as hereinabove described, whereby data stored in the magnetic memory device can be read through a simple amplifier similar to an amplifier (sense amplifier) employed for a conventional DRAM. Thus, no sense amplifier having a complicated structure may be employed dissimilarly to the prior art, whereby high-speed reading is enabled. 
     The magnetic memory device according to the aforementioned aspect preferably further comprises an auxiliary word line connected to a second end of the storage element for pulling down the potential on the second end of the storage element to a ground potential in response to rise timing of a signal toward the word line, for reading the potential difference caused between the bit line and the reference bit line at transient timing for lowering the potential of the auxiliary word line to the ground potential. According to this structure, the auxiliary word line can readily pull down the potential of the storage element toward the ground potential. The potential difference caused between the bit line and the reference bit line is read with the amplifier at the transient timing for lowering the potential of the auxiliary word line to the ground potential, whereby stored data can be readily detected. 
     In this case, the transient timing for lowering the potential of the auxiliary word line to the ground potential is preferably before the potential of the bit line and the potential of the reference bit line reach the ground potential. According to this structure, the potential difference between the bit line and the reference bit line can be prevented from disappearing. If the potential of the auxiliary word line reaches the ground potential, the potentials of the bit line and the reference bit line also reach the ground potential immediately thereafter, to exhibit no potential difference. When the amplifier detects the potential difference between the bit line and the reference bit line before the potentials of the bit line and the reference bit line reach the ground potential, therefore, the amplifier can detect the potential difference between the bit line and the reference bit line before the same disappears. 
     In the magnetic memory device according to the aforementioned aspect, the amplifier is preferably provided in common for a plurality of bit lines. According to this structure, the circuit structure can be simplified as compared with a case of providing the amplifier every bit line. 
     In the magnetic memory device according to the aforementioned aspect, the storage element exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance preferably includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer, arranged oppositely to the first magnetic layer through an insulating barrier layer, harder to invert than the first magnetic layer. According to this structure, data can be readily stored by setting the directions of magnetization of the first and second magnetic layers parallel or antiparallel in response to the data. 
     In the magnetic memory device according to the aforementioned aspect, the reference bit line preferably includes a reference memory cell provided every word line, and the reference memory cell preferably includes a first resistive element and a transistor connected to the first resistive element. According to this structure, the potential difference between the bit line including the memory cell and the reference bit line including the reference memory cell can be readily detected. 
     In this case, the first resistive element of the reference memory cell preferably has an intermediate resistance value between a resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are parallel and a resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel. According to this structure, potential difference can be caused between the bit line and the reference bit line. 
     In this case, further, the first resistive element of the reference memory cell preferably includes two second resistive elements, exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance, having the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are parallel and two third resistive elements, exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance, having the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel, and the second resistive elements and the third resistive elements are preferably serially connected respectively while pairs of the serially connected second resistive elements and third resistive elements are connected in parallel with each other. According to this structure, the resistance of the first resistive element of the reference memory cell connected to the reference bit line can be set to a value half the sum of the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are parallel and that attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel. Thus, potential difference can be readily caused between the bit line and the reference bit line. In this case, the storage element of the memory cell may include a TMR element, and the second resistive elements and the third resistive elements of the reference memory cell may include TMR elements. 
     In the aforementioned case, the first resistive element of the reference memory cell may include a second resistive element, exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance, having a resistance value substantially half the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are parallel and a third resistive element, exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance, having a resistance value substantially half the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel, and the second resistive element and the third resistive element may be serially connected with each other. According to this structure, the resistance of the first resistive element of the reference memory cell connected to the reference bit line can be set to a value half the sum of the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element connected to the bit line are parallel and that attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel. Thus, potential difference can be readily caused between the bit line and the reference bit line. 
     In this case, the storage element of the memory cell may include a TMR element, and the second resistive element and the third resistive element of the reference memory cell may include TMR elements. In this case, further, the second resistive element and the third resistive element of the reference memory cell may have areas twice that of the storage element of the memory cell. 
     In the aforementioned case, the first resistive element of the reference memory cell may have a resistance value substantially identical to either the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are parallel or the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel. In this case, the load capacity of the bit line and the load capacity of the reference bit line may be different from each other. According to this structure, potential difference is caused between the bit line and the reference bit line also when the resistance value of the first resistive element is substantially identical to either the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are parallel or that attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel, whereby data can be readily determined. In this case, the gate widths of a pair of transistors forming the amplifier may be different from each other. 
     In this case, further, the first resistive element of the reference memory cell may have a resistance value substantially identical to the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are parallel. Alternatively, the first resistive element of the reference memory cell may have a resistance value substantially identical to the resistance value attained when the directions of magnetization of the storage element are antiparallel. 
     In the magnetic memory device according to the aforementioned aspect, the storage element of the memory cell may include a TMR element. Further, the amplifier may include a cross-coupled latch type voltage sense amplifier. 
     The magnetic memory device according to the aforementioned aspect preferably further comprises a dummy bit line provided in common for a plurality of bit lines and a comparator connected to the dummy bit line through the transistor, and a dummy storage element having two magnetic layers so set that the directions of magnetization are parallel to each other is preferably connected to the dummy bit line. According to this structure, potential difference caused between the bit line and the reference bit line can be readily sensed through the dummy bit line and the comparator. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of an MRAM according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the structures of a bit line and a reference bit line of the MRAM according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an operation waveform diagram for illustrating a read operation of the MRAM according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the structures of a bit lie and a reference bit line of an MRAM according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for illustrating resistance values of a resistive element connected to the reference bit line of the MRAM according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the structures of a bit lie and a reference bit line of an MRAM according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the structures of a bit lie and a reference bit line of an MRAM according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the structures of a bit lie and a reference bit line of an MRAM according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams for illustrating the structure of a storage element of a conventional MRAM; and 
     FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of the conventional MRAM. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
     The overall structure of an MRAM according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The MRAM according to the first embodiment is mainly structured by a memory cell array  51  provided in the form of a matrix. The memory cell array  51  is formed by memory cells  52  arranged in row and column directions. Each memory cell  52  stores 1-bit data forming the minimum unit of storage. 
     In the MRAM according to the first embodiment, each memory cell  52  is formed by a TMR element  4  and an NMOS transistor  5 . As shown in FIG. 2, the TMR element  4  includes a ferromagnetic layer  3 , an insulating barrier layer  2  and another ferromagnetic layer  1  harder to invert than the ferromagnetic layer  3 . A word line WL is connected to the gate of each NMOS transistor  5 . 
     The TMR element  4  is an example of the “storage element exhibiting ferromagnetic resistance” according to the present invention. The ferromagnetic layer  3  is an example of the “first magnetic layer” according to the present invention, and the ferromagnetic layer  1  is an example of the “second magnetic layer” according to the present invention. The NMOS transistor  5  is an example of the “transistor” according to the present invention. The gate of the NMOS transistor  5  is an example of the “control terminal” according to the present invention. 
     In the memory cell array  51 , the memory cells  52  arranged in the row direction (transverse direction in FIG. 1) are connected to the word lines WL and auxiliary word lines SWL. The memory cells  52  arranged in the column direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) are connected to bit lines BL. A common reference bit line BLr is provided for the plurality of bit lines BL. 
     A common cross-coupled latch type sense amplifier (SA)  53  is connected to the bit lines BL and the reference bit line BLr. The sense amplifier  53  is an example of the “amplifier” according to the present invention. 
     The reference bit line BLr includes a reference memory cell  62  consisting of a resistive element  14  and an NMOS transistor  15  every word line WL. The resistive element  14  is an example of the “first resistive element” according to the present invention. The resistive element  14  of the reference memory cell  62  has an intermediate resistance value Rr between the resistance value of the TMR element  4  attained when the directions of magnetization are parallel and that of the TMR element  4  attained when the directions of magnetization are antiparallel. 
     The word lines WL are connected to a row decider  54 . A row address buffer (not shown) supplies an externally specified row address RA to the row decoder  54 . Thus, the row decoder  54  selects a word line WL corresponding to the row address RA. 
     The word lines WL are connected to first input terminals and output terminals of AND circuits  11 . A signal line Φ 5  regularly going low (0) in writing is connected to second input terminals of the AND circuits  11 . 
     First ends of the auxiliary word lines SWL are grounded through NMOS transistors  6 . The gates of the NMOS transistors  6  are connected to the first input terminals of the AND circuits  11 . Second ends of the auxiliary word lines SWL are connected to a power supply potential Vcc through PMOS transistors  8 . A signal line Φ 4  is connected to the gates of the PMOS transistors  8 . 
     A signal line Φ 3  is connected to first ends of the bit lines BL and the reference bit line BLr through PMOS transistors  9  and  19  respectively. A signal line Φ 2  is connected to the gates of the NMOS transistors  9  and  19 . 
     The bit lines BL and the reference bit line BLr are connected to input/output lines I/O and /I/O through transfer gates (NMOS transistors)  7  and  17  respectively. The input/output lines I/O and /I/O form a pair of input/output lines I/O and /I/O. The input/output lines I/O and /I/O are connected to the sense amplifier  53 . An output circuit  56  outputs data. 
     The MRAM according to the first embodiment is also provided with a dummy bit line BLm (dummy BL) similar in structure to the bit lines BL. The TMR elements  4  are connected to the dummy bit line BLm through the NMOS transistors  5 . Every TMR element  4  connected to the dummy bit line BLm is so set that the directions of magnetization of the two ferromagnetic layers  1  and  3  are identical (parallel) to each other. The dummy bit line BLm is connected to a first input end of a comparator  29  through an NMOS transistor  27 . 
     The power supply potential Vcc is connected to the gate of the NMOS transistor  27 . A reference voltage Vcc is connected to a second input end of the comparator  29 . An inverter  30  is connected to an output of the comparator  29 , and another inverter  31  is connected to an output of the inverter  30 . The output of the inverter  30  is employed as a signal Φp, while that of the inverter  31  is employed as a signal Φn. These signals Φp and Φn are employed as activation signals for the sense amplifier  53 . 
     The comparator  29  outputs a low-level signal when an input voltage is identical to the reference voltage Vcc, while outputting a high-level signal when the input voltage is reduced below the reference voltage Vcc. 
     The power supply potential Vcc is connected to the first input terminal of the comparator  29  and the input/output lines I/O and /I/O through PMOS transistors  28 ,  41  and  42  respectively. A signal line Φ 6  is connected to the gates of the PMOS transistors  28 ,  41  and  42 . When the signal line Φ 6  is activated, therefore, the potentials of the first input terminal of the comparator  29  and the input/output lines I/O and /I/O are pulled up to the power supply potential Vcc. 
     An input/output node of the sense amplifier  53  is connected to the output circuit  56  through an NMOS transistor  12 . A signal line Φ 1  is connected to the gate of the NMOS transistor  12 . The input/output node of the sense amplifier  53  is also connected to an input circuit  57  through an NMOS transistor  10 . A signal line Φ 7  is connected to the gate of the NMOS transistor  10 . Inverters  61 ,  62  and  63  are connected between the input circuit  57  and the NMOS transistor  10 . 
     The gates of the transfer gates  7  and  17  are connected to a column decoder  55 . A column address buffer (not shown) supplies an externally specified column address CA to the column decoder  55 . The column decoder  55  selects a column (a bit line BL and the reference bit line BLr) of the memory cell array  51  corresponding to the externally specified column address CA. 
     Write and read operations of the MRAM according to the first embodiment having the aforementioned structure are now described. 
     Write Operation 
     An operation for writing data in a memory cell  52  connected to a word line WL 1  and a bit line BL 2  is now described. In order to write data in the MRAM according to the first embodiment, the potential of the signal line Φ 3  is set to ½ Vcc. The transfer gate  7  of the bit line BL 2  selected by the column decoder  55  is turned on while the signal line Φ 7  is activated thereby supplying a high-level potential (Vcc) from the input/output circuit  57  to the selected bit line BL 2  through the input/output line I/O. At this time, the signal Φ 2  is set to a low-level potential thereby turning on the PMOS transistor  9 , so that the potential on the left end of the selected bit line BL 2  reaches ½ Vcc. In this case, the potential on the right end of the selected bit line BL 2  is at the level Vcc, whereby a current flows through the bit line BL 2  leftward, to generate a magnetic field. 
     The signal line Φ 5  is regularly at a low level and hence the potential of the word line WL 1 , selected by the row decoder  54 , connected to the output terminal of the AND circuit  11  remains low. On the other hand, the gate of the NMOS transistor  6  goes high due to the selection of the word line WL 1 , thereby turning on the NMOS transistor  6 . Thus, the lower end of an auxiliary word line SWL 1  corresponding to the selected word line WL 1  is going to reach a ground potential Vss. The potential of the signal line Φ 4  is set low, so that the upper end of the auxiliary word line SWL 1  is going to reach the power supply potential Vcc. Thus, a current flows through the auxiliary word line SWL 1  downward, to generate a magnetic field. 
     As hereinabove described, magnetic fields can be generated in the auxiliary word line SWL 1  and the bit line BL 2  by feeding a current to the auxiliary word line SWL 1  downward while feeding a current to the bit line BL 2  leftward in the selected memory cell  52 . Thus, data (e.g., “1”) can be readily written in the ferromagnetic layer  3  of the TMR element  4  of the selected memory cell  52  located on the intersection between the auxiliary word line SWL 1  and the bit line BL 2 . 
     In order to write data (e.g., “0”) inverse to the aforementioned data in the ferromagnetic layer  3  of the TMR element  4 , the direction of the current fed to the bit line BL 2  may be opposed. In the non-selected memory cells  52 , no currents flow through the auxiliary word lines SWL and hence data are not rewritten in the non-selected memory cells  52 . 
     Read Operation 
     An operation of reading data from the selected memory cell  52  connected to the word line WL 1  and the bit line BL 2  is now described with reference to FIGS. 1 to  3 . 
     In an initial state, the potentials of the signal lines Φ 3  and Φ 6  are at the high level Vcc, while the potentials of the signal lines Φ 2 , Φ 4  and Φ 5  are at the low level Vss. Therefore, the potentials of each bit line BL, each auxiliary word line SWL, the input/output lines I/O and /I/O and the first terminal of the comparator  29  are at the high level Vcc. 
     Thereafter the potentials of the signal lines Φ 2  and Φ 4  reach the high level Vcc through an activation signal, while each bit line BL and each auxiliary word line SWL enter floating states of the power supply potential Vcc. Thereafter an address is input in the row decoder  54  while the signal line Φ 5  is activated to a high level so that the output of the AND circuit  11  goes high, whereby the potential of the selected word line WL 1  rises to a high level. The potential of the selected word line WL 1 , input in the AND circuit  11 , goes high thereby turning on the NMOS transistor  6  connected to the auxiliary word line SWL 1  corresponding to the selected word line WL 1 . Thus, the potential of the auxiliary word line SWL 1  brought into the floating state of the power supply potential Vc starts to gradually lower from the power supply potential Vcc to the ground potential Vss. 
     At this time, the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr are connected to the input/output lines I/O and /I/O due to the address input in the column decoder  55 . When the potential of the auxiliary word lie SWL 1  starts to lower from the power supply potential Vcc toward the ground potential Vss in this state, the potentials of the bit line BL and the reference bit line BLr also start to lower from the power supply potential Vcc to the ground potential Vcc. Thus, the potentials of the input/output lines I/O and /I/O input in the sense amplifier  53  also start to lower from the power supply potential Vcc toward the ground potential Vss. In this case, the TMR element  4  of the selected memory cell  52 , having parallel directions of magnetization as shown in FIG. 2, has a smaller resistance value than the resistive element  14  of the reference bit line BLr. Therefore, the potentials of the input/output lines I/O and /I/O connected with the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr respectively lower from the power supply potential Vcc to the ground potential Vss at different speeds. More specifically, the potential of the input/output line I/O is going to fall quicker than that of the input/output line /I/O, leading to potential difference between the input/output lines I/O and /I/O. 
     The dummy bit line BLm and the comparator  29  sense this potential difference. The TMR element  4  connected to the dummy bit line BLm is set in the low-resistance state with the parallel directions of magnetization, and hence the potential of the dummy bit line BLm starts to lower at the same timing as that of either the bit line BL 2  or the reference bit line BLr (the bit line BL 2  in the first embodiment) having lower resistance. The signals Φp and Φn are activated due to the sensing by the dummy bit line BLm and the comparator  29 , thereby activating the sense amplifier  53 . The activated sense amplifier  53  is employed for amplifying the potential difference between the input/output lines I/O and /I/O, so that the potential of the input/output line I/O goes low and the potential of the input/output line /I/O goes high. 
     In this state, the potential of the signal line Φ 1  is set to a high level thereby turning on the NMOS transistor  12 . Thus, the low and high levels of the input/output lines I/O and /I/O are transferred to data lines D and /D respectively. The output circuit  56  outputs a signal corresponding thereto. 
     Thereafter the potential of the signal line Φ 3  is set to the high level Vcc while setting the signal lines Φ 2 , Φ 3  and Φ 5  to the ground potential Vss, thereby precharging the bit lines BL and the auxiliary word lines SWL to the power supply potential Vcc for preparing for subsequent reading. 
     When the selected memory cell  52  stores data with antiparallel directions of magnetization, the resistive element  14  connected to the reference bit line BLr exhibits a smaller resistance value and hence the potential of the input/output line /I/O starts to fall quicker than that of the input/output line I/O contrarily to the above. When the sense amplifier  53  amplifies this potential difference, the potentials of the input/output lines I/O and /I/O go high and low respectively. A subsequent operation is carried out similarly to the above, for preparing for a subsequent address. 
     The sense amplifier  53  detects the potential difference between the input/output lines I/O and /I/O at timing before the potentials of the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr reach the ground potential GND. If the potentials of the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr are quickly pulled down to the ground potential GND, the potential difference between the auxiliary word line SWL and the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr is so excessively increased that the MR ratio (the rate of change of resistance) disappears. Consequently, the potentials of the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr reach the ground potential GND at the same speed. In this case, the potential difference between the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr disappears to allow no detection of potential difference. 
     While potential difference is caused between the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr at transient timing, the TMR element  4  and the resistive element  14  are conductors and hence the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr finally reach the same potential. 
     According to the first embodiment, as hereinabove described, each memory cell  52  is formed by the single TMR element  4  and the single NMOS transistor  5  while the sense amplifier  53  detects the potential difference between the bit line BL connected to the TMR element  4  and the reference bit line BLr, whereby data can be readily read. Thus, the potential difference is so detected that no value of a small current flowing through the bit line may be detected dissimilarly to the prior art. Consequently, the MRAM can be prevented from such inconvenience that the structure of the sense amplifier  53  is complicated for detecting the value of a small current. 
     According to the first embodiment, further, the sense amplifier  53  detects the potential difference between the bit line BL and the reference bit line BLr as described above, whereby data stored in the MRAM can be read through the simple sense amplifier  53  similar to that employed for a conventional DRAM. Thus, the data can be read through the simple sense amplifier  53 , whereby the read operation can be performed at a higher speed as compared with a conventional structure employing a sense amplifier having a complicated structure. 
     According to the first embodiment, in addition, the MRAM is provided with the sense amplifier  53  common for the respective bit lines BL, whereby the circuit structure can be simplified as compared with a case of providing such a sense amplifier  53  every bit line BL. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In an MRAM according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a resistive element  24  connected to a reference bit line BLr is formed by two TMR elements  24   a  and  24   c  having parallel directions of magnetization and two TMR elements  24   b  and  24   d  having antiparallel directions of magnetization as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, dissimilarly to the aforementioned first embodiment. The TMR elements  24   a  and  24   b  are serially connected with each other, while the TMR elements  24   c  and  24   d  are serially connected with each other. The serially connected TMR elements  24   a  and  24   b  and the serially connected TMR elements  24   c  and  24   d  are connected in parallel with each other. 
     According to the second embodiment, the resistive element  24  is formed by the four TMR elements  24   a  to  24   d , whereby a resistance value Rr of the resistive element  24  can be set to an intermediate level between a resistance value R 0  of the TMR element  4  attained when the directions of magnetization are parallel and a resistance value R 1  of the TMR element  4  attained when the directions of magnetization are antiparallel, i.e., half the sum of the resistance values R 0  and R 1 . 
     The resistive element  4  is an example of the “first resistive element” according to the present invention. The TMR elements  24   a  and  24   c  are examples of the “second resistive element” according to the present invention, and the TMR elements  24   b  and  24   d  are examples of the “third resistive element” according to the present invention. 
     The MRAM according to the second embodiment is similar in structure, effect, write operation and read operation to the MRAM according to the first embodiment except the aforementioned points. 
     Third Embodiment 
     In an MRAM according to a third embodiment of the present invention, a resistive element  34  connected to a reference bit line BLr is formed by a TMR element  34   a  having parallel directions of magnetization and another TMR element  34   b  having antiparallel directions of magnetization as shown in FIG. 6, dissimilarly to the aforementioned second embodiment. The TMR elements  34   a  and  34   b  are serially connected with each other. 
     According to the third embodiment, each of the TMR elements  34   a  and  34   b  is formed to have an area twice the area of a TMR element  4  forming a memory cell. Thus, the resistance value of the resistive element  34  can be set to an intermediate level between a resistance value R 0  of the TMR element  4  attained when the directions of magnetization are parallel and a resistance value R 1  of the TMR element  4  attained when the directions of magnetization are antiparallel, i.e., half the sum of the resistance values R0 and R 1 , similarly to the second embodiment. 
     The resistive element  34  is an example of the “first resistive element” according to the present invention. The TMR element  34   a  is an example of the “second resistive element” according to the present invention, and the TMR element  34   b  is an example of the “third resistive element” according to the present invention. 
     The MRAM according to the third embodiment is similar in structure, effect, write operation and read operation to the MRAM according to the first embodiment except the aforementioned points. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     In an MRAM according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a resistive element  44   a  connected to a reference bit line BLr is formed by a TMR element having parallel directions of magnetization as shown in FIG. 7, dissimilarly to the aforementioned second and third embodiments. The resistive element  44   a  is an example of the “first resistive element” according to the present invention. 
     In other words, a resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   a  connected to the reference bit line BLr is set identical to the resistance value of a TMR element  4 , having parallel directions of magnetization, forming a memory cell. Thus, the resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   a  is identical to the resistance value of the TMR element  4  of a selected cell connected to a selected bit line BL 2 . When the load capacity of the bit line BL 2  is rendered different from the load capacity of the reference bit line BLr in this case, for example, potential difference is caused between the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr also when the resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   a  is identical to the resistance value of the TMR element  4 , whereby a sense amplifier  53  can readily determine data. 
     Data can also be readily determined by rendering gate widths of transistors forming the sense amplifier  53  different from each other without rendering the load capacities of the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr different from each other. 
     When selecting another memory cell including a TMR element  4  having antiparallel directions of magnetization, the resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   a  is smaller than the resistance value of the TMR element  4  of the selected memory cell, and hence data can be readily determined. 
     The MRAM according to the fourth embodiment is similar in structure, effect, write operation and read operation to the MRAM according to the first embodiment except the aforementioned points. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     In an MRAM according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a resistive element  44   b  connected to a reference bit line BLr is formed by a TMR element having antiparallel directions of magnetization as shown in FIG. 8, dissimilarly to the aforementioned fourth embodiment. The resistive element  44   b  is an example of the “first resistive element” according to the present invention. 
     In other words, a resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   b  is set to the same value as the resistance value of a TMR element  4  having antiparallel directions of magnetization. Thus, the resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   b  exceeds the resistance value of the TMR element  4  of a selected cell connected to a selected bit line BL 2 . In this case, a sense amplifier  53  can readily determine data. 
     When selecting another memory cell including a TMR element  4  having antiparallel directions of magnetization, the resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   b  is identical to the resistance value of the TMR element  4  of the selected memory cell. Also in this case, the potentials of the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr lower at different speeds also when the resistance value Rr of the resistive element  44   b  is identical to the resistance value of the TMR element  4  if the load capacities of the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr are rendered different from each other, for example, similarly to the aforementioned fourth embodiment, whereby potential difference is caused between the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr. Thus, the sense amplifier  53  can readily determine the data. 
     Data can also be readily determined by rendering gate widths of transistors forming the sense amplifier  53  different from each other without rendering the load capacities of the bit line BL 2  and the reference bit line BLr different from each other. 
     The MRAM according to the fifth embodiment is similar in structure, effect, write operation and read operation to the MRAM according to the first embodiment except the aforementioned points. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 
     While a TMR element is employed as a storage element forming each memory cell in each of the aforementioned embodiments, for example, the present invention is not restricted to this but a storage element other than the TMR element can also be employed so far as the same exhibits ferromagnetic tunneling. An effect similar to those of the aforementioned embodiments can be attained also when employing a storage element, other than the storage element exhibiting ferromagnetic tunneling, exhibiting a magnetoresistance effect (ferromagnetic resistance). 
     While the signals Φp and Φn for activating the sense amplifier  53  are activated on the basis of the output of the comparator  29  in the aforementioned first embodiment, the present invention is not restricted to this but the sense amplifier  53  may alternatively be activated only with the signal Φn while keeping the signal Φp regularly activated.

Technology Category: 3