Magnetic memory and driving method therefor
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorFumihiro Inui
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic memory includes a plurality of variable resistors arrayed as memory elements in a matrix, a plurality of bit lines each of which is arranged on each row of the matrix and connected to one terminal of each of variable resistors belonging to the same row, a read circuit which detects the resistance values of the variable resistors based on currents flowing through the bit lines, and load elements arranged on the bit lines independently of the memory elements.
Claims11
A magnetic memory comprising:
- a plurality of variable resistors arrayed as memory elements in a matrix;
- a plurality of bit lines which each of is arranged on each row of the matrix and connected to one terminal of each variable resistors belonging to the same row;
- a read circuit which detects resistance values of said variable resistors based on currents flowing through said bit lines;
- and
- at least one load element arranged on said bit lines independently of said memory elements.
A method of driving a magnetic memory which has a plurality of variable resistors arrayed in a matrix, a plurality of switches connected to the plurality of variable resistors, and a plurality of bit lines arranged on respective rows of the matrix, one terminal of each variable resistor being connected to a corresponding bit line, and the other terminal being connected to a corresponding switch, comprising the steps of:
- suppressing variations in voltages of the bit lines;
- applying a predetermined voltage to the variable resistors;
- and
- detecting information written in the variable resistors based on currents flowing through the variable resistors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.