US5982658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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MRAM design to reduce dissimilar nearest neighbor effects
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-31
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2017-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A magnetoresistive memory array which has a row of active sense lines with each sense line including magnetoresistive bits and word lines extending over the bits. Each active sense line ending in a termination bit having a configuration selected to cause an adjacent bit to experience a magnetic field similar to that experienced by the remaining bits in the sense line. An inactive sense line located at each end of the row of active sense lines.
Inventors
- 👤 Lonny L. Berg
- 👤 Paul W. Cravens
- 👤 Allan T. Hurst
- 👤 Tangshiun Yeh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/02; G11C11/16; G11C11/165; G11C11/1653; G11C11/1655; G11C11/1673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A magnetoresistive memory array comprising: a row of active sense lines with each sense line including a plurality of individual magnetoresistive bits; word lines extending over said bits; means for selecting an individual bit by the coincidence of a word current and a sense current at a selected bit; each said active sense line terminating in a termination bit having a configuration selected to cause an adjacent bit to experience a similar magnetic field as a magnetic field experienced by the remaining bits in said active sense line; a first inactive sense line located at a first end of said memory array; and a second inactive sense line located at a second end of said memory array with said inactive sense lines causing neighboring bits located in adjacent active sense lines to experience a magnetic field similar to a magnetic field experienced by a remaining active sense line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A magnetoresistive memory array comprising: a row of active sense lines with each sense line including a plurality of individual magnetoresistive bits; word lines extending over said bits; means for selecting an individual bit by the coincidence of a word current and a sense current at a selected bit; each said active sense line terminating in a termination bit having a configuration selected to cause an adjacent bit to experience a similar magnetic field as a magnetic field experienced by the remaining bits in said active sense line; a first inactive sense line located at a first end of said memory array; and a second inactive sense line located at a second end of said memory array with said inactive sense lines causing neighboring bits located in adjacent active sense lines to experience a magnetic field similar to a magnetic field experienced by a remaining active sense line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Magnetoresistive memory of claim 1 wherein said termination bit has a blunt end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Magnetoresistive memory of claim 1 wherein said termination bit has a length and a width and a ratio of said length to said width is in the range of about 1 to about 3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Magnetoresistive memory of claim 3 wherein said termination bit has a length and a width and a ratio of said length to said width is about 2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Magnetoresistive memory of claim 4 wherein said width of said termination bit is about 1.5 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Magnetoresistive memory array of claim 2 wherein an individual magnetoresistive bit has a width of about 1.5 microns and a length of about 10 microns.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |