Magnetic Memory Devices for Embedded Computing

These devices could be utilized in novel, energy-efficient, radiation-hard electronics.

A program of research has been dedicated to the development of magnetic memory devices than can be incorporated into complementary metal oxide/ semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits, wherein these devices can be made to function as radiation-hard logic elements and as components of small random-access memories. The goal of this development was not to provide for largescale, bulk memories, but, instead, to provide for latches and flip-flops that can serve as state and data registers for sequential logic and as configuration registers for configurable logic. A major benefit afforded by these devices is the ability to retain the logical state of a subsystem that contains the devices when turning off the power to that subsystem to save energy until operation of the subsystem is required. The subsystem can then be powered up and begin operating within a time of the order of milliseconds.