Semiconductor memory device with improved read characteristics for data

Abstract

A semiconductor memory device is described that has an improved read characteristics. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, a reference cell, a comparator located between the memory cells and the reference cell, and a discriminator coupled to the comparator. The comparator compares the actual signal equivalent to a value of a current flowing in each of the memory cells and reference signals equivalent to a value of a current flowing in the reference cell with each other to output a comparison result signal in each of data reading operation modes. The discriminator discriminates a value of data stored in each of the memory cells based on the comparison result signal. The discriminator includes a circuit shared for discrimination of a data value in each of the data reading operation modes.