Nanomagnetic Logic Storage Using Coupled Triangles for In-Memory Computing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices face challenges such as high operational complexity, data corruption, and substantial power consumption due to the separation of data processing components from system memory and local registers. Additionally, binary data processing results in low information density, leading to increased data access latency and storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A single device utilizing multiple magnetically coupled anisotropic nanomagnetic triangles, each supporting a single magnetic domain, for data processing and storage. These nanomagnetic triangles can be configured as NOR or NAND gates and are capable of processing and storing data without a constant power supply, reducing data transfer complexity, and increasing information density by supporting heximal data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data processing components (ALU) are separated from system memory and local registers, then processing capability is improved, but operational complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data processing and storage functions into a unified nanomagnetic device. The same nanomagnetic triangles that store data can directly perform logical operations through magnetic coupling, eliminating the need for separate data buses and interface circuits between ALU and memory, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining processing capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is transferred between system memory and processing components via data buses, then processing flexibility is improved, but data corruption risk and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges storage and processing into a single nanomagnetic device where data remains in place during processing. The nanomagnetic triangles perform logical operations directly on stored data through magnetic field interactions, eliminating data buses and the associated risks of data corruption and power consumption during data transfer
3Stability of the object's composition
If constant power supply is provided to system memory and local registers, then processor state maintenance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nanomagnetic device is self-powered through magnetic coupling interactions. The logical operations are performed passively by the magnetic fields of the nanomagnetic triangles acting on each other, without requiring external power supply for maintaining processor states or performing operations, thus achieving both stability and zero power consumption
4Adaptability or versatility
If binary data (base-2) is used for data processing, then compatibility with existing systems is improved, but information density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the numerical base parameter from binary (base-2) to heximal (base-6). Each nanomagnetic triangle can represent six distinct states through its magnetic configuration, allowing one triangle to store log2(6) ≈ 2.58 bits of information. This parameter change increases information density while the system can still interface with binary systems through appropriate encoding/decoding circuits
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bits are combined to represent additional states, then data representation capability is improved, but data access latency and storage space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of combining multiple binary bits to represent additional states, the patent changes the fundamental representation parameter to heximal (base-6). A single nanomagnetic triangle directly represents one heximal digit (6 states), reducing the number of physical elements needed and enabling faster access compared to reading and processing multiple binary bits to achieve the same information density
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables cost-effective data processing and storage with reduced power consumption and data access latency, as well as increased information density, eliminating the need for constant power supply and minimizing data corruption risks.
Implementation Method 1
multiple magnetically coupled anisotropic nanomagnetic triangles each supporting a single magnetic domain for data processing and/or storage
Implementation Method 2
multiple magnetically coupled anisotropic nanomagnetic triangles each supporting a single magnetic domain
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques of processing and/or persistently store data using nanomagnetic elements are disclosed herein. In one example, a processing circuit includes a substrate and a plurality of nanomagnetic elements spaced apart from one another. The plurality of nanomagnetic elements have shape-induced magnetic anisotropy and individually include a geometric center and at least three vertices extending away from the geometric center. One of the nanomagnetic elements has a vertex magnetically coupled to another vertex of another nanomagnetic element such that a magnetic polarity change at the vertex at the one of the plurality of nanomagnetic elements causes a responsive magnetic polarity change at the vertex at the another nanomagnetic element to generate an output of the processing circuit.