-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueVoices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
The Essential Guide to Surface Finishes
We go back to basics this month with a recount of a little history, and look forward to addressing the many challenges that high density, high frequency, adhesion, SI, and corrosion concerns for harsh environments bring to the fore. We compare and contrast surface finishes by type and application, take a hard look at the many iterations of gold plating, and address palladium as a surface finish.
It's Show Time!
In this month’s issue of PCB007 Magazine we reimagine the possibilities featuring stories all about IPC APEX EXPO 2025—covering what to look forward to, and what you don’t want to miss.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Dynamic Solution for Accurate Reading
March 20, 2018 | A*STAREstimated reading time: 2 minutes

The new voltage-sensing scheme helps to address one of the biggest challenges for spin-based memory— accurately reading the difference between binary on (1) and off (0) states.
A voltage sensing scheme developed by researchers from Singapore could improve the accuracy of reading data from spin-based memory systems with only minimal modifications. The scheme responds dynamically to voltage changes in the system, so that it can better discern whether it is reading a binary on (1) or off (0) state.
The cutting-edge data storage technology, called spin-transfer torque magnetic random-access memory (STT-MRAM), encodes data using the intrinsic angular momentum of electrons — their spin, instead of their charge. Quang-Kien Trinh, Sergio Ruocco from the A*STAR Data Storage Institute and Massimo Alioto from the National University of Singapore are at the forefront of global efforts to prove that STT-MRAM can provide a fast, high-density, low-power alternative to existing charge-based memories.
“STT-MRAM is the leading candidate for future non-volatile, universal memory technology,” says Trinh. “It could serve in consumer devices, corporate data centers, and even high-end critical applications such as unmanned vehicles, aircraft, and military.”
In STT-MRAM systems, data bits are stored as either 1s or 0s by flipping the orientation of magnetized ‘bitcells’. To read a bitcell, the system compares its own reference voltage to the ‘bitline’ voltage across the bitcell — the 1 or 0 state is then identified based on the difference between the two voltages, called the read margin.
However, “the memory read operation is recognized as one of the major roadblocks of this emerging technology,” according to Trinh. The reference voltage frequently unintentionally flips the bitcell, or reads the wrong memory state if the read margin is small.
Trinh, Ruocco and Alioto realized that they could avoid read errors if they were to sense the bitline voltage and adjust the reference voltage in response, so that the read margin always remains high.
“Our new dynamic reference scheme generates two reference values, one for reading logic 0 and another for reading logic 1,” explains Trinh. “In logic 0 state, a small readout signal is compared to a large reference value, while in logic 1 state, a large readout signal is compared to a small reference value.”
The team’s simulations suggest that their dynamic reference scheme could be incorporated into existing STT-MRAM systems with minimal modifications, and would reduce read errors by two orders of magnitude.
“We look forward to exploiting the synergy between our dynamic reference scheme and existing circuits,” says Trinh. “We are also working on solutions to reduce the energy consumption and design complexity.”
Suggested Items
RTX's Collins Aerospace Enhances Capabilities to Speed Marine Corps Decision-making in Battle
04/22/2025 | RTXCollins Aerospace, an RTX business, successfully demonstrated new technology that helps the military gather and use information from a wider range of sources at Project Convergence Capstone 5, a large-scale military exercise.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: GreenSource's Growth and Future Developments
04/15/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOThings are looking bright for GreenSource. Michael Gleason shares an update on GreenSource's recent growth and upcoming changes. A recipient of a Defense Production Act Investment Program award, GreenSource is planning for new substrate capabilities. Current investments continue to enhance equipment and sustainability initiatives such as water quality. And their unique collaboration with the University of New Hampshire continues to aid their workforce development, despite recruitment challenges.
Acquisition of MADES Strengthens Cicor's Pan-European Leadership in the Aerospace & Defense Sector
04/03/2025 | CicorCicor Group announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Spanish electronics company Malaga Aerospace, Defense & Electronics Systems S.A.U. (MADES). The company focuses on electronic solutions for the aerospace and defense industry, which accounts for well over half of its business.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Discover Comprehensive PCB Solutions with American Standard Circuits
04/01/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOAnaya Vardya, CEO of American Standard Circuits, highlights the company's dedication to offering complete PCB solutions. The company provides free design packages and caters to various sectors, including military and telecommunications.
Teledyne FLIR Defense Captures $7.8 Million Contract to Provide Mobile Surveillance Systems for Key Military Entity in Saudi Arabia
03/24/2025 | BUSINESS WIRETeledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), has won a contract valued at $7.8 million with Middle East Task Company (METCO) to provide its next-generation LVSS (Lightweight Vehicle Surveillance System) to a high-profile military entity in Saudi Arabia. The agreement also includes mission support equipment and training. Quantities were not disclosed.