News IBM and TDK partner up to make MRAM

[Tim S]

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/08...to_make_mram/1

The memory type that replaces flash memory in many applications could be MRAM, which has been in R&D since the 1990s.

[mmorgue]

Sounds very promising, once the storage capacities increase to more real-world requirements.

[Almightyrastus]

will be interesting to see how the power usage turns out as well esp if there are possible plans to replace hard drives at some point in the future. Of course power usage will also affect heat and as a result access speeds.

[Bluephoenix]

I want to see how they plan to sheild against severe EMI and outside sources of magnetism.

if they can successfully do both then it might replace ECC memory in number crunching stations for CAD and the like, where the improved speed would lead to faster analysis times.

[pendragon]

Originally Posted by Bluephoenix

I want to see how they plan to sheild against severe EMI and outside sources of magnetism.

if they can successfully do both then it might replace ECC memory in number crunching stations for CAD and the like, where the improved speed would lead to faster analysis times.

I agree. This issue immediately lept to mind when I heard it was magnetic.

[-Xp-]

Interesting stuff! Good to see more alternatives to the old hard disk

PS: noticed a typo in the last paragraph.

IMB and TDK are the only companies trying to push MRAM onto the market...

[Glider]

Originally Posted by pendragon

I agree. This issue immediately lept to mind when I heard it was magnetic.

Current HDs are magnetic too, and they seem to do fine?

Faradays Cage to the rescue

[completemadness]

I'm guessing that huge antiferromagnet (or whatever) has something to do with it not getting destroyed by EMR

[Bluephoenix]

Originally Posted by Glider

Current HDs are magnetic too, and they seem to do fine?

Faradays Cage to the rescue

a Harddrive is not that sensitive to magnetism when on or off because you have to drag a magnet across the disc (or across the side to it for perpendicular recording) to realign the cells and create read errors. with the MRAM, any severe EMI could cause a bit change (and subsequent read error) based upon the design shown.

[completemadness]

Originally Posted by Bluephoenix

because you have to drag a magnet across the disc

Correct

or across the side to it for perpendicular recording

I'm pretty sure that's wrong - you just have to move the particles through the magnetic field to destroy them, where you put the magnet (or the alignment of the cells) doesn't really matter

[Bluephoenix]

Originally Posted by completemadness

I'm pretty sure that's wrong - you just have to move the particles through the magnetic field to destroy them, where you put the magnet (or the alignment of the cells) doesn't really matter

personally tried it with a half-dead disc, and it is indeed correct.

[completemadness]

Originally Posted by Bluephoenix

personally tried it with a half-dead disc, and it is indeed correct.

whos right ? lol

[Bluephoenix]

Originally Posted by completemadness

whos right ? lol

I meant that I tried running a magnet at 90 degrees to the disc, on a half dead perpendicular recording drive, and more sectors turned up with errors.

so that would be me who's right.


but you did have a point, which is why I resorted to physical testing in the first place!