Spin-based logic device
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsJian-Ping Wang, Yang Lv, Yanfeng Jiang, Mahdi Jamali
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device including a conductive layer configured to output a spin-current based on an analog input value, a plurality of magnetoresistive devices, and an encoder configured to output a digital value. Each of the magnetoresistive devices may be configured to receive a different reference voltage on a first side and the spin-current on a second side. The magnetization state of each of the magnetoresistive devices is set by respective reference voltages and the spin-current. The encoder may include a plurality of digital bits that is a digital representation of the analog input value based on the magnetization states of the magnetoresistive devices.
Claims23
A device comprising:
- a conductive layer configured to output a spin-current based on an analog input value;
- a plurality of magnetoresistive devices, each configured to receive a different reference voltage on a first side and the spin-current on a second side, wherein a magnetization state of each of the magnetoresistive devices is set by respective reference voltages and the spin-current;
- and
- an encoder configured to output a digital value including a plurality of digital bits that is a digital representation of the analog input value based on the magnetization states of the magnetoresistive devices.
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) comprising:
- a first magnetoresistive device configured to receive a first reference voltage and a spin-current, wherein an amplitude of the spin-current is based on an amplitude of an analog input value, and wherein the first reference voltage and the spin-current set a magnetization state of the first magnetoresistive device to a first magnetization state;
- and
- a second magnetoresistive device configured to receive a second, different reference voltage and the spin-current, wherein the second reference voltage and the spin-current set a magnetization state of the second magnetoresistive device to a second magnetization state, wherein the first magnetization state and the second magnetization state are used to determine a digital value that includes a plurality of digital bits and that is a digital representation of the analog input value.
A method for analog-to-digital conversion, the method comprising:
- receiving an analog input voltage;
- receiving, with a plurality of magnetoresistive devices, a spin-current, wherein the spin-current is based on the analog input voltage;
- receiving, with the plurality of magnetoresistive device, reference voltages, wherein each of the reference voltages is different and is applied to a respective one of the magnetoresistive devices;
- determining magnetization states for each of the magnetoresistive devices, wherein a magnetization state of each of the magnetoresistive devices is set by the received spin-current and the received respective reference voltage;
- and
- encoding a digital value including a plurality of digital bits based on the determined magnetization states, wherein the digital value represents the analog input voltage.
A comparator comprising:
- a reference voltage;
- a conductive layer configured to output a spin-current based on an analog input value;
- and
- a magnetoresistive device configured to receive the reference voltage and the spin-current, wherein the reference voltage and the spin-current set a magnetization state of the magnetoresistive device, and wherein the magnetization state of the magnetoresistive device is indicative of whether the reference voltage is greater than or less than the analog input value.
A device comprising:
- a plurality of magnetoresistive devices, each configured to receive a different reference voltage on a first side and an analog magnetic value on a second side, wherein a magnetization state of each of the magnetoresistive devices is set by respective reference voltages and an amplitude of the analog magnetic value;
- and
- an encoder configured to output a digital value including a plurality of digital bits that is a digital representation of the analog magnetic value based on the magnetization states of the magnetoresistive devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.