Programmable logic using giant-magnetoresistance and spin-dependent tunneling devices (invited)

Programmable logic functions may be realized with giant-magnetoresistance or spin-dependent tunneling devices in conjunction with relatively simple circuitry. These functions may be implemented as conventional programmed logic arrays using the magnetic devices as nonvolatile programming elements or as arrays of universal logic gates whereby the core logic functions are magnetically programmed. Both methodologies are described in this article along with rapidly reconfigurable variations that have applications in high performance and adaptive computing. Various design considerations of these schemes are presented along with simulation results of proposed circuits. Among the potential advantages of these magnetic logic devices are nonvolatility of both programming information and data and the ability to reconfigure an entire logic array into any one of a number of configurations in a single clock cycle. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)66808-1].