A Mechanism for the Crossing of Orthogonal Magnetic Wires in Multiferroic Nanomagnet Logic

We report time division multiplexing-based seven-phase clocking mechanism for the crossing of magnetic wires by in-plane multiferroic nanomagnet logic (m-NML). By reasonably setting hold time and sequence of applied stress (or voltage), the proposed multiferroic clocking ensures correct signal propagation of two orthogonal m-NML wires (or paths). The effects of magnetostrictive layer thickness on required seven-phase clock period and strain are investigated. Accordingly, a link scheme between early four-phase clocking and proposed seven-phase multiferroic clocking is developed by compressing seven-phase clock period. Thus, exact computation synchronization and pipelining in the entire NML circuit have been implemented. Finally, power consumption in the proposed m-NML crossing is discussed. The result shows that the m-NML signal crossing can be achieved with an energy dissipation of only about 533 aJ.