Memory Without a Storage Device – How It Works

in #technology2 days ago (edited)

 "DALL·E 2025-02-18 19.38.19 - A minimalistic schematic diagram showing only radio masts arranged in a perfect circle, transmitting information between them in a continuous loop. Ar.webp" Imagine a way to store information without using a hard drive, memory chips, or any traditional storage device. Instead of keeping data in a physical memory unit, this system stores information in motion—like a message that keeps bouncing back and forth between two points, never stopping.

How Does It Work? Think of two radio towers standing far apart, continuously sending and receiving a signal between them. The information isn't written down anywhere—it just keeps moving through radio waves. As long as the transmission continues, the data exists, even though it’s never permanently stored in a memory chip.

This idea can work with radio waves, light (fiber optics), electricity (wires), or even sound waves. The information is not "saved" in the traditional sense; it just keeps traveling back and forth, like an echo that never fades.

Do Devices Need Any Memory? Yes! In practice, the devices (transmitters and receivers) will need a small amount of memory to process and retransmit the signal. However, this memory is only used temporarily and is much smaller than the actual data stored in the system. The majority of the information exists in the medium itself—in the movement of radio waves, light pulses, or electrical signals, not in the devices themselves.

Why Is This Special? No need for traditional storage – Unlike a USB stick or a hard drive, this system doesn’t need a permanent storage device. The information exists in motion instead of being written down. The system mostly stores data in the medium itself – The memory in devices is minimal, just enough to process and retransmit signals, while most of the information remains in propagation. The data stays for as long as needed – As long as the system keeps running, the information never disappears. Huge potential for the future – This could be used in satellites, secure communications, and long-distance networks, making storage more reliable and harder to hack.

Possible Use Cases

Truly Decentralized Blockchain – Imagine a blockchain where data is not stored on physical servers or nodes but instead propagates over network connections worldwide. This would remove the need for massive storage requirements while making it impossible for a central authority to shut it down. Anyone could join the blockchain by simply connecting to the network, participating in the flow of information instead of downloading an entire ledger.

Global Anonymous Networks – A new type of internet infrastructure where data is constantly moving, never stored permanently, making tracking and censorship nearly impossible. This could enable completely private communication that governments or corporations cannot monitor.

High-Latency Space Communication – Instead of relying on massive data storage on satellites, space probes could store information in the transmission itself, constantly bouncing signals between spacecraft. This would allow for more efficient interstellar communication without requiring extensive onboard memory.

Untraceable Data Storage – Information stored in a system like this would only exist while the system is running, making it perfect for self-destructing messages, temporary file storage, and applications where you want data to disappear without leaving traces.

The Key Innovation Most storage systems rely on keeping data in a physical memory unit. This invention removes that step and makes it possible to store information by simply keeping it moving through waves or signals.

Although a small amount of memory is needed in the devices to process and retransmit data, the majority of the storage happens inside the medium itself.

This could change how we think about data storage, making networks truly decentralized, untraceable, and independent of traditional hardware-based memory.

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I add this invention to the state of the art, redefining the way data is stored and transmitted. For patent enthusiasts, here is a detailed description of its innovative principles and applications.

TITLE OF INVENTION: Method and System for Implementing Memory Based on Signal Propagation Through a Transmission Medium

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

  1. Field of Technology The invention relates to the field of digital memory and data transmission systems. Specifically, it concerns a method and system in which memory is primarily implemented through signal propagation in a transmission medium, while the amount of data stored in nodes (transmitters and receivers) is negligible compared to the storage capacity of the medium itself.
  2. Background of the Invention Current memory and data storage systems rely on semiconductor (DRAM, SRAM, NAND), magnetic (HDD, MRAM), and optical (DVD, holographic) technologies. In traditional data transmission systems, information is stored in network nodes, and the transmission medium serves only as a transport channel.

To date, no system has been developed in which memory is implemented primarily through propagation in a transmission medium rather than through conventional storage devices, allowing for an alternative approach to data persistence without dependence on semiconductor technology.

  1. Summary of the Invention The invention describes a dynamic memory system where information is stored within the transmission medium itself rather than in material storage devices.

System Operation Principle: A transmitter introduces information into the transmission medium. The transmission medium (e.g., radio waves, optical fiber, electrical circuit, acoustic waves) transports the information over a specific distance. A receiver picks up the signal but does not store it—instead, it retransmits it back into the medium, maintaining a propagation loop. The key innovation is in the selection of medium parameters, such as: propagation distance, signal velocity, bandwidth, such that the memory capacity of the medium significantly exceeds the amount of data stored in transmitters and receivers. The system may include minimal buffers for synchronization and error correction, but these remain negligibly small compared to the total data stored in propagation.

  1. Advantages of the Invention Memory in propagation – Information is not stored in traditional electronic memory but exists dynamically within the transmission medium. Minimal storage in nodes – The system uses only necessary buffers, while the main memory capacity is determined by signal propagation. Potential for long-term data storage – As long as the transmission medium remains active, the information can be retained indefinitely. Applicable to high-latency communication – Especially useful in satellite communications, long-distance optical fiber links, and radio-wave propagation systems. Enhanced security – Data in propagation is harder to intercept using traditional memory-access methods. CLAIMS: A method for implementing memory in propagation through a transmission medium, wherein: a) Information in the form of a signal is transmitted into the transmission medium, b) The signal propagates within the medium over a specified distance, c) A receiver picks up the information and retransmits it back into the medium, d) The amount of data stored in transmitters and receivers is negligible compared to the amount of data stored in propagation.

A system for implementing memory in propagation through a transmission medium, consisting of: a) At least one transmitter capable of injecting information into a transmission medium, b) A transmission medium with a propagation length that enables storing more data than the buffers within transmitters and receivers, c) At least one receiver that does not store data but retransmits it back into the medium, ensuring continuous information storage in propagation, d) A retransmission control mechanism that minimizes memory usage in system nodes while maintaining memory in propagation.

Application of the method described in Claim 1 for memory implementation in: a) Radio frequency systems, b) Optical systems, c) Electrical transmission systems, d) Acoustic wave systems, e) Thermal transmission systems, f) Any system utilizing signal propagation as an information carrier.

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