U.S. patent application number 10/452755 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for magnetic memory cell sensing with first and second currents.
Invention is credited to Perner, Frederick, Smith, Kenneth.
Application Number | 20040240276 10/452755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32655767 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040240276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perner, Frederick ; et
al. |
December 2, 2004 |
MAGNETIC MEMORY CELL SENSING WITH FIRST AND SECOND CURRENTS
Abstract
A magnetic memory includes a sense amplifier coupled to a memory
cell. The sense amplifier includes a capacitor operative between a
first voltage established by a first sense current flowing in a
first direction and corresponding to an unknown logic state of the
memory cell, and a second voltage established by a second sense
current flowing in a second direction and corresponding to a known
logic state of the memory cell. The sense amplifier includes detect
logic configured to compare the second voltage to an upper and
lower threshold voltage and provide the known logic state if the
second voltage is less than the upper threshold voltage and greater
than the lower threshold voltage, and provide a logic state
opposite to the known logic state if the second voltage is equal to
or greater than the upper threshold voltage or is equal to or less
than the lower threshold voltage.
Inventors: |
Perner, Frederick; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Smith, Kenneth; (Boise, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Intellectual Property Administration
P.O. Box 272400
Fort Collins
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
32655767 |
Appl. No.: |
10/452755 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
365/189.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 11/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
365/189.07 |
International
Class: |
G11C 007/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A magnetic memory, comprising: a memory cell; and a sense
amplifier coupled to the memory cell, wherein the sense amplifier
comprises: a capacitor operative between a first voltage
established by a first sense current flowing in a first direction
and a second voltage established by a second sense current flowing
in an opposite direction, the first sense current corresponding to
an unknown logic state of the memory cell and the second sense
current corresponding to a known logic state of the memory cell;
and detect logic configured to compare the second voltage to an
upper threshold voltage a and lower threshold voltage and provide
the known logic state if the second voltage is less than the upper
threshold voltage and greater than the lower threshold voltage, and
provide a logic state opposite to the known logic state if the
second voltage is equal to or greater than the upper threshold
voltage or is equal to or less than the lower threshold
voltage.
2. The magnetic memory of claim 1, wherein the detect logic
comprises: a first comparator configured to compare the upper
threshold voltage to the second voltage and provide a first output
if the second voltage is less than the upper threshold voltage; and
a second comparator configured to compare the second voltage to the
lower threshold voltage and provide a second output if the second
voltage is greater than the lower threshold voltage.
3. The magnetic memory of claim 2, wherein the detect logic
comprises: comparison logic coupled to the first and second
comparators configured to provide the known logic state if the
first and second comparators are providing the first and second
output and to provide the logic state opposite to the known logic
state if the first comparator is not providing the first output or
the second comparator is not providing the second output.
4 The magnetic memory of claim 3, wherein the detect logic is
configured to store the second logic state.
5 The magnetic memory of claim 1, wherein the first sense current
flowing in the first direction through the capacitor decreases a
voltage on the capacitor and the second sense current flowing in
the opposite direction through the capacitor increases the voltage
on the capacitor.
6. The magnetic memory of claim 1, wherein the first sense current
flowing in the first direction through the capacitor increases a
voltage on the capacitor and the second sense current flowing in
the opposite direction through the capacitor decreases the voltage
on the capacitor.
7. A sense amplifier for sensing a resistance state stored in a
memory cell, comprising: a charge amplifier coupled to the memory
cell; a capacitor coupled to the charge amplifier, wherein a
voltage on the capacitor is configured to be changed from a
reference voltage by a first sense current flowing in a first
direction and corresponding to a first resistance state stored in
the memory cell and changed to a second voltage by a second sense
current flowing in a second direction and corresponding to a second
resistance state stored in the memory cell, wherein the first
resistance state is equal to the second resistance state if the
second voltage is between an upper threshold voltage and a lower
threshold voltage, and wherein the reference voltage is between the
upper threshold voltage and the lower threshold voltage.
8. The sense amplifier of claim 7, wherein the first resistance
state corresponds to the memory cell having either a first
resistance value or a second resistance value and the second
resistance state corresponds to the memory cell having either the
first resistance value or the second resistance value, and wherein
the second resistance value is greater than the first resistance
value.
9. The sense amplifier of claim 8, wherein the first current
flowing in the first direction through the capacitor decreases the
voltage on the capacitor and the second current flowing in the
second direction through the capacitor increases the voltage on the
capacitor wherein the first resistance state corresponds to the
first resistance value and the second resistance state corresponds
to the second resistance value when the second voltage is less than
the lower threshold voltage, and wherein the first resistance state
corresponds to the second resistance value and the second
resistance state corresponds to the first resistance value when the
second voltage is greater than the upper threshold voltage.
10. The sense amplifier of claim 8, wherein the first current
flowing in the first direction through the capacitor increases the
voltage on the capacitor and the second current flowing in the
second direction through the capacitor decreases the voltage on the
capacitor, wherein the first resistance state corresponds to the
first resistance value and the second resistance state corresponds
to the second resistance value when the second voltage is greater
than the upper threshold voltage, and wherein the first resistance
state corresponds to the second resistance value and the second
resistance state corresponds to the first resistance value when the
second voltage is less than the lower threshold voltage.
11. A sense amplifier for sensing a logic state stored in a memory
cell, comprising: a charge amplifier coupled to the memory cell for
conducting a first sense current and a second sense current,
wherein the first sense current corresponds to a first logic state
stored in the memory cell and the second sense current corresponds
to a second logic state stored in the memory cell; a capacitor
coupled to the charge amplifier, wherein a voltage on the capacitor
is configured to be changed from a reference voltage by the first
sense current flowing in a first direction through the capacitor
and changed to a second voltage by the second sense current flowing
in a second direction through the capacitor; and detect logic
coupled to the capacitor configured to compare the second voltage
to an upper and lower threshold voltage, wherein the first logic
state is equal to the second logic state if the second voltage is
between the upper and lower threshold voltage.
12. The sense amplifier of claim 11, wherein the first logic state
corresponds to the memory cell having either a first resistance
value or a second resistance value and the second logic state
corresponds to the memory cell having either the first resistance
value or the second resistance value, wherein the second resistance
value is greater than the first resistance value.
13. The sense amplifier of claim 12, wherein the first current
flowing in the first direction decreases the voltage on the
capacitor and the second current flowing in the second direction
increases the voltage on the capacitor.
14. The sense amplifier of claim 13, wherein the first logic state
corresponds to the first resistance value and the second logic
state corresponds to the second resistance value when the second
voltage is less than the lower threshold voltage, and wherein the
first logic state corresponds to the second resistance value and
the second logic state corresponds to the first resistance value
when the second voltage is greater than the upper threshold
voltage.
15. A sense amplifier for sensing a resistance state stored in a
memory cell, comprising: a charge amplifier coupled to the memory
cell for conducting a first sense current and a second sense
current, wherein the first sense current corresponds to a first
resistance state stored in the memory cell and the second sense
current corresponds to a second resistance state stored in the
memory cell; a first charge circuit; a second charge circuit; and a
capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first charge
circuit and a second terminal coupled to the second charge circuit,
wherein the first charge circuit is configured to couple the first
terminal to the charge amplifier and the second charge circuit is
configured to couple the second terminal to a ground potential to
conduct the first sense current through the capacitor in a first
direction, and wherein the second charge circuit is configured to
couple the second terminal to the charge amplifier and the first
charge circuit is configured to couple the first terminal to a
reference potential to conduct the second sense current through the
capacitor in a second direction.
16. The sense amplifier of claim 15, wherein the first charge
circuit includes: a first switch coupled between the charge
amplifier and the first terminal and configured to conduct the
first sense current; and a second switch coupled between the first
terminal and the reference potential and configured to conduct the
second sense current.
17. The sense amplifier of claim 16, wherein the second charge
circuit includes: a third switch coupled between the charge
amplifier and the second terminal and configured to conduct the
second sense current; and a fourth switch coupled between the
second terminal and the ground potential and configured to conduct
the first sense current.
18. The sense amplifier of claim 17, comprising: a charge control
circuit coupled to the first, second, third and fourth switches,
wherein the charge control circuit is configured to enable the
first and fourth switches to conduct the first sense current and to
enable the third and second switches to conduct the second sense
current.
19. A magnetic memory, comprising: a first memory cell configured
to store a first logic state; a second memory cell configured to
store a second logic state; and a capacitor coupled to the first
and second memory cell, wherein a voltage on the capacitor is
configured to be changed from an initial reference voltage by a
first sense current flowing between the capacitor and the first
memory cell in a first direction through the capacitor and by a
second sense current flowing between the capacitor and the second
memory cell in a second direction through the capacitor, wherein
the first logic state is equal to the second logic state if a
second voltage on the capacitor is within a threshold voltage range
from the reference voltage.
20. The magnetic memory of claim 19, comprising: detect logic
configured to compare the second voltage to an upper and lower
threshold voltage, wherein a difference between the upper and lower
threshold voltage defines the threshold voltage range.
21. The magnetic memory of claim 20, wherein the detect logic
includes: a first comparator configured to compare the upper
threshold voltage to the second voltage and provide a first output
if the second voltage is less than the upper threshold voltage; and
a second comparator configured to compare the second voltage to the
lower threshold voltage and provide a second output if the second
voltage is greater than the lower threshold voltage.
22. The magnetic memory of claim 21, wherein the detect logic
includes: comparison logic coupled to the first and second
comparator configured to provide the second logic state if the
first and second comparator are providing the first and second
output and to provide a logic state opposite to the second logic
state if either the first or second comparator are not providing
the first or second output.
23. A method of detecting a first logic state stored in a memory
cell, comprising: changing a voltage on a capacitor from an initial
reference voltage by a first sense current flowing between the
capacitor and the first memory cell in a first direction through
the capacitor; storing a second logic state in the memory cell;
changing the voltage on the capacitor to a second voltage by a
second sense current flowing between the capacitor and the second
memory cell in a second direction through the capacitor; and
comparing the second voltage to the reference voltage to determine
if the second voltage is within a threshold range from the
reference voltage, wherein the first logic state is equal to the
second logic state if the second voltage on the capacitor is within
the threshold voltage range from the reference voltage.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein comparing the second voltage to
the reference voltage comprises comparing the second voltage to an
upper and lower threshold voltage, wherein a difference between the
upper and lower threshold voltage defines the threshold voltage
range.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein comparing the second voltage to
the reference voltage includes: comparing the upper threshold
voltage to the second voltage; comparing the second voltage to the
lower threshold voltage; and providing the second logic state if
the second voltage is less than the upper threshold voltage and is
greater than the lower threshold voltage and providing a logic
state opposite to the second logic state if the second voltage is
not less than the upper threshold voltage or is not greater than
the lower threshold voltage.
26. A method of detecting a first logic state stored in a memory
cell, comprising: charging a capacitor to a reference voltage;
conducting a first sense current flowing between the capacitor and
the memory cell in a first direction through the capacitor; writing
a second logic state in the memory cell; conducting a second sense
current flowing between the capacitor and the memory cell in a
second direction through the capacitor; comparing a second voltage
on the capacitor to an upper and lower threshold voltage, wherein
the first logic state is equal to the second logic state if the
second voltage is between the upper and lower threshold voltage.
Description
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of
magnetic memories. More particularly, the present invention relates
to sensing a logic state stored in a magnetic memory cell with
first and second currents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is a type of
non-volatile magnetic memory which includes magnetic memory cells.
A typical magnetic memory cell includes a layer of magnetic film in
which the magnetization of the magnetic film is alterable and a
layer of magnetic film in which magnetization is fixed or "pinned"
in a particular direction. The magnetic film having alterable
magnetization is typically referred to as a data storage layer, and
the magnetic film which is pinned is typically referred to as a
reference layer.
[0003] A typical magnetic memory includes an array of magnetic
memory cells. Word lines extend along rows of the magnetic memory
cells, and bit lines extend along columns of the magnetic memory
cells. Each magnetic memory cell is located at an intersection of a
word line and a bit line. A magnetic memory cell is usually written
to a desired logic state by applying external magnetic fields that
rotate the orientation of magnetization in its data storage layer.
The logic state of a magnetic memory cell is indicated by its
resistance which depends on the relative orientations of
magnetization in its data storage and reference layers. The
magnetization orientation of the magnetic memory cell assumes one
of two stable orientations at any given time. These two stable
orientations are referred to as "parallel" and "anti-parallel"
orientations. With parallel orientation, the orientation of
magnetization in the data storage layer is substantially parallel
to the magnetization in the reference layer along the easy axis and
the magnetic memory cell is in a low resistance state which can be
represented by the value R. With anti-parallel orientation, the
orientation of magnetization in the data storage layer is
substantially anti-parallel to the magnetization in the reference
layer along the easy axis and the magnetic memory cell is in a high
resistance state which can be represented by the value R+.DELTA.R.
A sense amplifier can be used to sense the resistance state of a
selected magnetic memory cell to determine the logic state stored
in the memory cell.
[0004] Sensing the resistance state of selected magnetic memory
cells can be unreliable. Manufacturing variations in the dimensions
or shapes or in the thicknesses or crystalline anisotropy of the
data storage layers of the magnetic memory cells can cause
variations across a wafer in the memory cell R and R+.DELTA.R
resistance values. Variations in operating conditions of the
magnetic memories such as temperature can also cause variations in
the memory cell R and R+.DELTA.R resistance values.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a magnetic
memory that includes a memory cell and a sense amplifier coupled to
the memory cell. The sense amplifier comprises a capacitor
operative between a first voltage established by a first sense
current flowing in a first direction and a second voltage
established by a second sense current flowing in a second
direction. The first sense current corresponds to an unknown logic
state of the memory cell and the second sense current corresponds
to a known logic state of the memory cell. The sense amplifier also
comprises detect logic configured to compare the second voltage to
an upper and lower threshold voltage and provide the known logic
state if the second voltage is less than the upper threshold
voltage and greater than the lower threshold voltage, and provide a
logic state opposite to the known logic state if the second voltage
is equal to or greater than the upper threshold voltage or is equal
to or less than the lower threshold voltage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
a magnetic memory according to the present invention.
[0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating parallel and
anti-parallel magnet orientations of a magnetic memory cell.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
a sense amplifier for the magnetic memory of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
a capacitor switch circuit.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
signals generated during memory cell read operations.
[0011] FIGS. 6A-6D are exemplary diagrams illustrating the
capacitor voltage during read operations of magnetic memory
cells.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
a magnetic memory according to the present invention. Magnetic
memory 8 includes an array 10 of magnetic memory cells 12. The
magnetic memory cells 12 are arranged in rows and columns, with the
rows extending along an x-direction and the columns extending along
a y-direction. Only a relatively small number of magnetic memory
cells 12 are shown to simplify the description of magnetic memory
8. In various embodiments, arrays of any suitable size are
used.
[0014] Traces functioning as word lines 14 extend along the
x-direction in a plane on one side of the memory cell array 10.
Traces functioning as bit lines 16 extend along the y-direction in
a plane on an adjacent side of the memory cell array 10. There is
one word line 14 for each row of the array 10 and one bit line 16
for each column of the array 10. Each memory cell 12 is located at
a cross-point of a corresponding word line 14 and bit line 16.
[0015] The magnetic memory cells 12 are not limited to any
particular type of device. Magnetic memory cells 12 may be, for
example, spin dependent tunneling ("SDT") junction devices,
anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) devices, giant
magnetoresistance (GMR) devices, colossal magnetoresistance
devices, extraordinary magnetoresistance devices or very large
magnetoresistance devices.
[0016] Magnetic memory 8 includes a row decode circuit 18. During
read operations, the row decode circuit 18 applies either a
constant array voltage (V.sub.S) or a ground potential to the word
lines 14. In one embodiment, the constant array voltage (V.sub.S)
is provided by an external circuit.
[0017] Magnetic memory 8 includes a write circuit for orienting the
magnetization of selected magnetic memory cells 12 during write
operations. The write circuit is not shown in order to simplify the
explanation of the magnetic memory 8.
[0018] Magnetic memory 8 includes a read circuit 20 for sensing the
resistance states of selected magnetic memory cells 12 during read
operations. Read circuit 20 includes a plurality of steering
circuits 22 and sense amplifiers 24. Multiple bit lines 16 are
connected to each steering circuit 22. Although only one bit line
16 is illustrated as being connected to each steering circuit 22,
in other embodiments, any suitable number of bit lines 16 can be
connected to each steering circuit 22. In the illustrated
embodiment, each steering circuit 22 includes a set of switches
that connect each bit line 16 to a sense amplifier 24. An output of
the sense amplifier 24 is supplied to a data register 26, which, in
turn, is coupled to an Input/Output pad 28.
[0019] Magnetic memory 8 also includes a control circuit 32 for
generating signals which include a capacitor charge signal (CHG),
an address strobe signal (STR), a signal (SA) that controls the
reset, preset, arm and store of the sense amplifiers 24, and an
integrator control signal (INT) that controls the "settle" and
"integration" phases of the read operations. The control circuit 32
generates other signals for controlling the read and write
operations of magnetic memory 8 which are not illustrated to
simplify the explanation of magnetic memory 8. In one embodiment,
control circuit 32 is implemented as a state machine which is
physically close to the memory cell array 10. In other embodiments,
an external memory controller is used to generate the control
signals. In other embodiments, a microprocessor or a
microcontroller is used to generate the control signals.
[0020] FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating parallel and
anti-parallel magnet orientations of a magnetic memory cell 12. In
the illustrated embodiment, magnetic memory cell 12 is a STD
junction device. Magnetic memory cell 12 includes a magnetic layer
referred to as data storage layer 34, a magnetic layer referred to
as reference layer 38, and a tunnel barrier 36 disposed between
data storage layer 34 and reference layer 38. Data storage layer 34
is referred to as a "free" layer because it has a magnetization
orientation that is not pinned and which can be oriented in either
of two directions along the easy axis which lies in a plane.
Reference layer 38 is referred to as a "pinned" layer because it
has a magnetization that is oriented in a plane but is fixed so as
not to rotate in the presence of an applied magnetic field within a
range of interest. FIG. 2A illustrates by arrows a "parallel"
orientation when the magnet orientation of the free and pinned
layers 34 and 38 are in the same direction. FIG. 2B illustrates by
arrows an "anti-parallel" orientation when the magnetization of the
free and pinned layers 34 and 38 are in opposite directions.
[0021] The insulating tunnel barrier 36 enables quantum mechanical
tunneling to occur between the free and pinned layers. This
tunneling phenomenon is electron spin-dependent, making the
resistance of the spin-dependent tunneling device a function of the
relative orientations of the magnetization of the free and pinned
layers 34 and 38. The resistance of magnetic memory cells 12 is a
first value R if the orientation of magnetization of the free and
pinned layers 34 and 38 is parallel as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The
resistance of magnetic memory cell 12 is increased to a second
value R+.DELTA.R when the orientation of magnetization is changed
from parallel to anti-parallel as illustrated in FIG. 2B.
[0022] Data is stored in magnetic memory cell 12 by orienting the
magnetization along the easy axis of free layer 34. In one
embodiment, a logic state of "0" is stored in magnetic memory cell
12 by orienting the magnetization of free layer 34 such that the
magnetization orientation is parallel, and a logic state of "1" is
stored in magnetic memory cell 12 by orienting the magnetization of
free layer 34 such that the magnetization orientation is
anti-parallel. In another embodiment, a logic state of "1" is
stored in magnetic memory cell 12 by orienting the magnetization of
free layer 34 such that the magnetization orientation is parallel,
and a logic state of "0" is stored in magnetic memory cell 12 by
orienting the magnetization of free layer 34 such that the
magnetization orientation is anti-parallel.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
a sense amplifier 24 for the magnetic memory of FIG. 1. In the
exemplary embodiment, sense amplifier 24 includes a direct
injection charge amplifier 40, a capacitor switch circuit 42 and
detect logic 44. A steering circuit switch 46 couples the charge
amplifier 40 and capacitor switch circuit 42 to the selected bit
line 16. A switch 50, which is part of the sense amplifier 24,
couples the capacitor switch circuit 42 to a source providing a
V.sub.REF voltage. Other unselected bit lines 16 and unselected
word lines 18 are held at an array voltage V.sub.S.
[0024] During a first of two read operations, a capacitor 54 is
charged to an initial reference voltage V.sub.REF by application of
the capacitor charge signal CHG which turns switch 50 on into a
conductive state. The capacitor is discharged or charged with a
first sense current flowing through the capacitor 54 and through a
selected memory cell 12 which is storing an unknown logic state,
while holding the selected bit line 16 is at the array voltage
V.sub.S. If the resistance state of the memory cell is R, the
capacitor 54 will be charged or discharged faster than if the
resistance state of the memory cell is R+.DELTA.R.
[0025] For the second read operation, a known logic state is stored
in the selected memory 12 or in another memory cell 12. The
capacitor 54 is charged or discharged with a second read operation
by a second sense current flowing in a second direction through the
capacitor 54 and through the memory cell 12 which is storing the
known logic state, and the final voltage on capacitor 54 is
compared to the initial reference voltage V.sub.REF. If the final
voltage on capacitor 54 is within a threshold voltage range from
V.sub.REF, the unknown and known logic states are deemed to be the
same (e.g., the first and second read operations are performed for
the R resistance state or the R+.DELTA.R resistance state). If the
final capacitor 54 voltage is not within the threshold voltage
range from VREF, the unknown and known logic states are deemed to
be different (e.g., the first and second read operation is
performed for the R and the R+.DELTA.R resistance states, or for
the R+.DELTA.R and the R resistance states, respectively). Because
the resistance of memory cells 12 having the R resistance state or
the R+.DELTA.R resistance state can vary, the threshold voltage
range should be sufficiently large so that when the first and
second read operations are performed on the memory cells 12, the
final voltage is within the threshold voltage range.
[0026] Charge amplifier 40 includes an operational amplifier 62 and
a control transistor 64. Amplifier 62 controls the gate of
transistor 64 to maintain the voltage at selected bit line 16 at
the voltage V.sub.S.
[0027] Capacitor switch circuit 42 includes the capacitor 54,
charge circuits 56 and 58, and a charge control circuit 60.
Capacitor switch circuit 42 enables charge capacitor 54 to be
coupled to and charged in a first or second direction from charge
amplifier 40. Charge control circuit 60 selects for the first
direction either charge circuit 56 or 58 to connect capacitor 54 to
line 52, and selects for the second direction either charge circuit
58 or 56 to connect capacitor 54 to line 52. In other embodiments,
capacitor switch circuit 42 includes one or more mirror current
sources configured to charge or discharge capacitor 54 in the first
or the second direction. In these embodiments, the voltage level at
line 52 is greater than the array voltage V.sub.S.
[0028] Detect logic 44 includes comparators 66 and 68 and an AND
gate 70. Comparators 66 and 68 compare the final V.sub.CAP voltage
at capacitor 54 to an upper threshold voltage value V.sub.TH and to
a lower threshold value voltage V.sub.TL. Both the comparators 66
and 68 provide an output if the final V.sub.CAP voltage is between
the voltage values of V.sub.TH and V.sub.TL. If the final V.sub.CAP
voltage is greater than V.sub.TH, only comparator 68 provides an
output. If the voltage V.sub.CAP is less than V.sub.TL, only
comparator 66 provides an output. AND gate 70 provides an output if
both of the comparators 66 and 68 provide an output thus indicating
that the final V.sub.CAP voltage is between the threshold voltage
values of V.sub.TH and V.sub.TL. In the exemplary embodiment,
reference compare circuit 72 compares the output of AND gate 70 to
the known logic state from the second read operation and provides
an output to register 26. In one embodiment, the reference compare
circuit 72 stores the known logic state. In other embodiments, the
known logic state is stored in another location in magnetic memory
8, or is stored externally to magnetic memory 8. A gated buffer 74
is included in the exemplary embodiment to pass valid data from the
compare circuit 72 to the output register 26 when the clock pulse
(CP) is asserted.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, magnetic memory 8 is
fabricated using a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
process. In other embodiments, magnetic memory 8 is fabricated
using other suitable processes.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
a capacitor switch circuit. The capacitor switch circuit is
illustrated at 142 and includes the charge control circuit 60,
capacitor 54, charge circuit 58 which includes switches 80 and 86,
and charge circuit 56 which includes switches 82 and 84. Charge
control circuit 60 couples capacitor 54 to line 52 through switch
80 or switch 84, and couples the other end of capacitor 54 to the
voltage V.sub.REF or ground, respectively, through switch 82 or
switch 86. In other embodiments, a voltage control circuit is
included between line 52 and switches 80 and 84 to maintain the
voltage at line 52 at a level which is greater than the voltage
V.sub.S.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, a first terminal 88 of
capacitor 54 is connected between switches 82 and 84, and a second
terminal 90 of capacitor 54 is connected between switches 80 and
86. The voltage across capacitor 54 is illustrated as V.sub.54 and
is the voltage between first terminal 88 and second terminal 90. In
the illustrated embodiment, the polarity of first terminal 88 is
positive with respect to second terminal 90. In other embodiments,
the polarity of second terminal 90 is positive with respect to
first terminal 88. In one embodiment, charge control circuit 60
turns switches 84 and 86 on into a conductive state so that first
terminal 88 is connected to the charge amplifier 40 and second
terminal 90 is connected to ground. The first sense current is
conducted between first terminal 88 and charge amplifier 40. Charge
control circuit 60 turns off switches 84 and 86 and turns switches
80 and 82 on into a conductive state so that second terminal 90 is
connected to the charge amplifier 40 and first terminal 88 is
connected to the voltage V.sub.REF. The second sense current is
conducted between second terminal 90 and charge amplifier 40, in a
direction through capacitor 54 which is opposite to the first sense
current. In a second embodiment, charge control circuit 60 turns
switches 80 and 82 on into a conductive state so that second
terminal 90 is connected to the charge amplifier 40 and first
terminal 88 is connected to the voltage V.sub.REF. The first sense
current is conducted between second terminal 88 and charge
amplifier 40. Charge control circuit 60 turns switches 80 and 82
off and turns switches 84 and 86 on into a conductive state so that
first terminal 88 is connected to the charge amplifier 40 and
second terminal 90 is connected to ground. The second sense current
is conducted between first terminal 88 and charge amplifier 40, in
a direction through capacitor 54 which is opposite to the first
sense current.
[0032] In other embodiments, other capacitor switch circuits are
used which can direct the first and second sense currents in
opposite directions through capacitor 54. In other embodiments, the
charge control circuit 60 is controlled by control circuit 32 or by
means external to magnetic memory 8. In other embodiments, charge
control circuit 60 is not used and the switches 80, 82, 84 and 86
are controlled by control circuit 32 or by means external to
magnetic memory 8.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
signals generated during memory cell read operations. In the
exemplary embodiment, a first read operation reads an unknown logic
state or unknown resistance state stored in the selected magnetic
memory cell 12 and a second read operation reads a known logic
state or resistance state stored in the same selected magnetic
memory cell 12. In another embodiment, the second read operation
reads the second logic state or second resistance state from
another magnetic memory cell 12.
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, an address is selected by
connecting a selected word line 14 to the ground potential, and the
address select strobe signal STR sets the word line address. A
selected bit line 16 is coupled to the input of the charge
amplifier 40 and a subset of unselected bit lines 16 and unselected
word lines 18 are coupled to the array voltage V.sub.S. The voltage
V.sub.S applied to the unselected bit lines 16 and unselected word
lines 18 has the same magnitude as the voltage applied to the
selected bit line 16. Next, a settle phase illustrated as a first
settle phase is initiated by connecting the output of the charge
amplifier 40 at line 52 to the reference voltage V.sub.REF. Charge
control circuit 60 couples capacitor 54 in a first of two positions
to line 52 so that capacitor 54 can be charged to the reference
potential voltage V.sub.REF in the first direction. The CHG signal
applied to the gate of switch 50 couples capacitor 54 to the
V.sub.REF voltage source for a time sufficient to charge capacitor
54 to the V.sub.REF voltage level. The charge amplifier 40 applies
the regulated voltage V.sub.S to the selected bit line 16. The
first settle phase enables all voltage and current transients in
the sense amplifier 24 to settle down to suitably low levels before
the first sense current is sensed. In one embodiment, the charge
amplifier 40 is ideal and does not have any offsets so the first
sense current becomes immediately stable and the first sense
current is sensed without the settle phase. In various embodiments,
settle phase periods of various suitable lengths are used before
the sense current is sensed. In the illustrated embodiment, the
charge amplifier 40 has offsets which can cause transients in the
first sense current.
[0035] Once the transients have settled, an integration phase
illustrated as a first integration phase begins. Just before the
first integration phase begins, however, sense amplifier 24 is
reset, preset and armed by the control signal SA. The integration
phase begins by discharging or charging the integration capacitor
54 with the first sense current. In the illustrated embodiment,
capacitor 54 is discharged. The voltage V.sub.54 on the integration
capacitor 54 decays at a rate that is dependent upon the resistance
of the selected memory cell 12. The capacitor voltage V.sub.54 will
fall slower if the selected memory cell 12 has a higher resistance
R+.DELTA.R and the capacitor voltage V.sub.54 will fall faster if
the selected memory cell 12 has a lower resistance R.
[0036] The first integration phase has a suitable period which
keeps V.sub.CAP at a value which is greater than the array voltage
V.sub.S at the end of the first integration phase. In the exemplary
embodiment, a write operation is performed to write a second known
logic state or resistance state into the same selected magnetic
memory cell that the first read operation was performed on. Due to
variations in the memory cell 12 resistance values of R and
R+.DELTA.R across the array 10, reading the first and second logic
states or resistance states from the same memory cell 12 reduces
the effects of these variations. In other embodiments, the second
logic state or resistance state is written into a different
magnetic memory cell 12 which is coupled to sense amplifier 24. The
write operation to write the known memory cell logic state is not
illustrated in FIG. 5 to simplify the description of the signals
generated during the read operations.
[0037] In the exemplary embodiment, the second read operation reads
the known logic state (or second logic state or second resistance
state) which is written in the same selected memory cell 12 in
which the unknown logic state (or first logic state or first
resistance state) was read from. The address of the selected memory
cell 12 which is storing the second logic state or resistance state
is selected by connecting a selected word line 14 to the ground
potential wherein the address select strobe signal STR sets the
word line address. The selected bit line 16 is coupled to the input
of charge amplifier 40 and the subset of unselected bit lines 16
and unselected word lines 18 are coupled to the array voltage
V.sub.S.
[0038] During the second settle phase, capacitor 54 is isolated by
high impedance switches 80, 82, 84, and 86 and switch 50 is turned
on with signal CHG so that the node V.sub.CAP is connected to
V.sub.REF to supply current to the sense amplifier 40. Once the
transients have settled, and before the second integration phase
begins, sense amplifier 24 is reset, preset and armed by the
control signal SA. At the beginning of the second integration
phase, switch 50 is turned off with signal CHG and switches 80 and
82 are turned on. The capacitor voltage V.sub.54 at the beginning
of the second integration phase is the same level as at the end of
the first integration phase and V.sub.CAP is set to V.sub.REF minus
V.sub.54.
[0039] During the second integration phase, the capacitor 54 is
charged with the second sense current now flowing in the second
direction through capacitor 54. In other embodiments, capacitor 54
is discharged during the second integration phase. The voltage
V.sub.54 on the integration capacitor 54 increases at a rate that
is dependent upon the resistance of the selected memory cell 12.
The capacitor voltage V.sub.54 Will increase slower if the selected
memory cell 12 has a higher resistance R+.DELTA.R, and the
capacitor voltage V.sub.54 will increase faster if the selected
memory cell 12 has a lower resistance R.
[0040] At the end of the second integration phase, the final
V.sub.54 voltage on the capacitor is compared to the initial
reference V.sub.54 voltage at the beginning of the first
integration phase to determine if the same or different memory cell
logic states or resistance states were measured during the first
and second integration phases. Two threshold values are defined as
an upper threshold level V.sub.TH and a lower threshold level
V.sub.TL. These two threshold values define the threshold voltage
range. If the final V.sub.54 voltage is within this range, then the
second read operation result is for the same memory cell logic
state or resistance state as the first read operation result. The
second logic state or resistance state is stored in reference
comparison circuit 72 so that the logic state or resistance state
read during the first read operation can be determined. In FIG. 5,
line 92 illustrates the voltage V.sub.54 in an exemplary embodiment
wherein the first and second read operation results are the same
and the memory cell logic state or resistance state is R+.DELTA.R.
Line 94 illustrates the voltage V.sub.54 in an exemplary embodiment
wherein the first and second read operation results are the same
and the memory cell logic state or resistance state is R. For both
lines 92 and 94, the final V.sub.54 voltage is between the upper
threshold level V.sub.TH and the lower threshold level V.sub.TL
which illustrates that the first read operation result is the same
as the second read operation result and the first logic state or
resistance state is the same as the second logic state or
resistance state.
[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, at the end of the second
integration phase, comparators 66 and 68 provide a result of
comparing the final V.sub.54 voltage to the upper threshold voltage
V.sub.TH and the lower threshold voltage V.sub.TL. In the
illustration of FIG. 5, both comparators 66 and 68 provide an
output because the final V.sub.54 voltage in the exemplary
embodiment is between the threshold voltage values of V.sub.TH and
V.sub.TL. In the exemplary embodiment, AND gate 70 provides an
output because both comparators 66 and 68 are providing an output.
Because the first read operation result is the same as the second
read operation result in the illustration of FIG. 5, the stored
logic state for the first read operation is known. In the exemplary
embodiment, the clock pulse CP is initiated at the end of the
second integration phase and the logic state for the first read
operation is passed to register 26. In the exemplary embodiment, if
the second read operation result is not the same as the first read
operation result for the same selected memory cell 12, the stored
logic state for the first read operation result is rewritten into
the same selected memory cell 12.
[0042] FIGS. 6A-6D are exemplary diagrams illustrating the
capacitor voltage during read operations of the memory cells 12. In
the exemplary FIGS. 6A-6D, the first integration phase corresponds
to the time between time T.sub.0 and time T.sub.1. The second
settlement phase corresponds to the time between time T.sub.1 and
time T.sub.2. The second integration phase corresponds to the time
between time T.sub.2 and time T.sub.3. The exemplary FIGS. 6A-6D
illustrate read operations.
[0043] In the exemplary diagram of FIG. 6A, the first and second
read operations read the same stored memory cell state wherein the
selected memory cell has the resistance state R. The capacitor
voltage V.sub.54 falls and rises more quickly than if the memory
cell had the higher resistance R+.DELTA.R. The final V.sub.54
voltage at time T.sub.3 is between V.sub.TH and V.sub.TL,
indicating that the first and second read operations are for the
same memory cell state. Because the stored memory cell state for
the second read operation is known, the memory cell state for the
first read operation is known.
[0044] In the exemplary diagram of FIG. 6B, the first and second
read operations read different stored memory cell states. The first
read operation reads the memory cell state corresponding the
resistance R and the second read operation reads the memory cell
state corresponding to the resistance R+.DELTA.R. The capacitor
voltage V.sub.54 falls quickly during the first integration phase
when reading the resistance state R and rises slowly when reading
the resistance R+.DELTA.R. Because the higher resistance results in
a lower sense current, the final V.sub.54 voltage at time T.sub.3
is less than V.sub.TL, indicating that the first and second read
operations are for different memory cell states. Because the stored
memory cell state for the second read operation is known, the
memory cell state for the first read operation is known.
[0045] In the exemplary diagram of FIG. 6C, the first and second
read operation reads different stored memory cell states. The first
read operation reads the memory cell state corresponding the
resistance R+.DELTA.R and the second read operation reads the
memory cell state corresponding to the resistance R. The capacitor
voltage V.sub.54 falls slowly during the first integration phase
when reading the resistance state R+.DELTA.R and rises quickly when
reading the resistance R. In this illustration, the V.sub.54
voltage at time T.sub.3 is greater than the initial V.sub.54
reference voltage at time T.sub.1 because the lower resistance
during the second integration phase allows a higher sense current
to charge the capacitor voltage. The final V.sub.54 voltage at time
T.sub.3 is greater than V.sub.TH indicating that the first and
second read operations are for different memory cell states.
Because the stored memory cell state for the second read operation
is known, the memory cell state for the first read operation is
known.
[0046] In the exemplary diagram of FIG. 6D, the first and second
read operations read the same stored memory cell state. The
selected memory cell has the resistance state R+.DELTA.R. The
capacitor voltage V.sub.54 falls and rises more slowly than if the
memory cell had the lower resistance R, as illustrated in FIG. 6A.
The final V.sub.54 voltage at time T.sub.3 is between V.sub.TH and
V.sub.TL, indicating that the first and second read operations are
for the same memory cell state. Because the stored memory cell
state for the second read operation is known, the memory cell state
for the first read operation is known.
[0047] Although the exemplary diagrams for FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate
the capacitor being discharged during the first integration phase
and charged during the second integration phase, in other
embodiments, the capacitor can be charged during the first
integration phase and discharged curing the second integration
phase.
* * * * *