A three-dimensional operation in plated-wire memory

Plated-wire memories can be operated in three-dimensional mode, which reduces the cost of memories in their application to a digital computer. The switching characteristics of a plated wire are measured for a three-dimensional operation and a new driving technique suitable for the operation is given. The plated wire consists of a 0.13-mm phosphor-bronze wire and three layers of ferromagnetic material electroplated thereupon. A memory plane for three-dimensional operation is fabricated simply by inserting plated wires into a plastic holder with etched circuits on the outsides. Etched circuits are drive line, digit line, and sense line. In order to cancel a half-select noise, one bit position consists of two memory elements. The switching speed of the element is about 150 ns, and the output voltage is about 1 mV.