Kenneth J Pope

US Patent:

47916044, Dec 13, 1988

Filed:

Jul 23, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/889256

Inventors:

Richard M. Lienau - Redondo Beach CA
Kenneth E. Pope - Wagoner OK

International Classification:

G11C 1102

US Classification:

365 9

Abstract:

A sheet random access memory (SHRAM) is a truly random access, nonvolatile and transportable memory characterized by the cell density, size and power requirements of smaller dynamic memories but having the nonvolatile character of core memories or magnetic disks and tape and the rugged transportability of magnetic disk and tape. The SHRAM is characterized by a memory media comprising a two dimensional magnetic substrate and a fixed driving device for writing and reading into the substrate and a fixed sensing device for sensing the information at each cell location. In one embodiment the fixed sensing device is a sensing line in close proximity to a cell location. In a second embodiment, a fixed sensing device includes a Hall effect device which senses the magnetic configuration of the cell. In a third embodiment, the fixed sensing device includes an SCS thyristor in which the cathode gate is coupled to the magnetic configuration of the cell. The memory media includes not only a homogeneous two dimensional substrate, but also ferrite cores formed into the substrate by photolithographic techniques wherein the information is stored within the core and read by the sensing device from a gap defined by the core.