Method and apparatus for reading data from a ferromagnetic memory cell
US7414885B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 26, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C11/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A ferromagnetic memory cell is disclosed. The cell includes a bit (10), made of a ferromagnetic material, having a remnant polarity. The cell also includes a read drive line (20) coupled to a first portion of the bit (10), to feed a current into the bit (10). A sense conductor (30) is coupled to a second portion of the bit (10), to receive the current from the bit (10). The current conducted through the bit (10) is responsive to the polarity of the bit (10). A method is also disclosed for determining the magnetic polarity of a ferromagnetic bit (10). In this method, a bit (10) is provided that is made of ferromagnetic material and has a remnant polarity. An input current (50) is fed into the bit (10) through a read drive line (20) coupled to a first portion of the bit (10). An output current (60) is received from the bit (10) through a sense conductor (30) coupled to a second portion of the bit (10). The current conducted through the bit (10) is responsive to the polarity of the bit (10). A variance between the input current (50) and output current (60) is then sensed, from which the magnetic polarity of the bit (10) is determined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.