Patent · US Expired

Reducing power consumption during MRAM writes using multiple current levels

US7088608B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
8References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 2003
Grant dateAug 8, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 25, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C11/16
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A reduced power method of writing MRAM bits is disclosed. The reduced power method includes writing MRAM bits by applying a first magnetic field having a low magnitude, then determining if the bit has switched. If not, a second magnetic field having a higher magnitude is applied. Applying magnetic fields to an MRAM bit cell is accomplished by sending a current pulse through a strip line adjacent to the MRAM bit cell. The technique can be performed for every write to an MRAM bit. Alternatively, the weaker magnetic field can be applied during system test or system initialization, and if the weaker field fails to write the bit to a desired value, the failing result is stored and each subsequent write to the MRAM bit utilizes the stronger magnetic field.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.