Two-dimensional bubble domain memory

Abstract

A two-dimensional storage system having two dimensional access is described which offers advantages of speed and effective utilization of available storage area. The system is comprised of a plurality of bubble domain storage arrays, each of which has means therein for moving bubble domains in two dimensions. For instance, in each storage array bubbles can be moved either right-left or up-down. A functional area is provided between adjacent storage arrays to accommodate bubble movement to perform read, write, and clear functions and possibly logic functions. In one embodiment, the functional areas are comprised of sensors which simultaneously function as translation elements to map the information in one storage array into an adjacent array. Magnetic bubble domain sensors are provided for detecting bubble domains moved in one or two dimensions. For example, one sensor can be used to detect bubble domains moving right-left while another sensor is used to detect bubble domains moving up-down. Buffer regions are provided around the storage arrays to enable information to be moved in two dimensions in order to select any information within any selected storage array.