Single-chip computers with microelectromechanical systems-based magnetic memory (invited)

This article describes an approach for implementing a complete computer system (CPU, RAM, I/O, and nonvolatile mass memory) on a single integrated-circuit substrate (a chip)—hence, the name “single-chip computer.” The approach presented combines advances in the field of microelectromechanical system...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2000-05, Vol.87 (9), p.6680-6685
Main Authors: Carley, L. Richard, Bain, James A., Fedder, Gary K., Greve, David W., Guillou, David F., Lu, Michael S. C., Mukherjee, Tamal, Santhanam, Suresh, Abelmann, Leon, Min, Seungook
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This article describes an approach for implementing a complete computer system (CPU, RAM, I/O, and nonvolatile mass memory) on a single integrated-circuit substrate (a chip)—hence, the name “single-chip computer.” The approach presented combines advances in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and micromagnetics with traditional low-cost very-large-scale integrated circuit style parallel lithographic manufacturing. The primary barrier to the creation of a computer on a chip is the incorporation of a high-capacity [many gigabytes (GB)] re-writable nonvolatile memory (in today’s terminology, a disk drive) into an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing process. This article presents the following design example: a MEMS-based magnetic memory that can store over 2 GB of data in 2 cm2 of die area and whose fabrication is compatible with a standard IC manufacturing process.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.372807