Definition
A form of non-volatile electronic data storage that holds information as small magnetized regions, called magnetic bubbles, within a thin film of magnetic material. Because the data is stored magnetically rather than electrically, bubble memory retains its contents when power is removed. It was used in some avionics and navigation equipment to store data such as flight plans, navigation databases, and configuration settings.
Plain English
A type of computer memory that keeps its stored information even after the power is turned off. It was used in older avionics to hold things like navigation data and flight plans.
Context Anchor
Seen in older aircraft electronic equipment, especially in maintenance descriptions for units that store settings, navigation data, or fault information without constant power.
Derivation
Called bubble memory because the magnetized regions that hold the data behave like tiny round bubbles moving through the magnetic film. The name describes what the stored data looks like under a microscope when viewed with the right equipment.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots flying older aircraft may still encounter avionics that use bubble memory. Knowing it is non-volatile explains why navigation databases and stored flight plans survive a power-off cycle without needing a battery backup.
Intuition Check
Bubble does not mean an air bubble in fuel, oil, or fluid here. It means a tiny magnetized spot used to store computer information.
Example Sentence 1
The flight management computer used bubble memory so the stored navigation database remained intact after the aircraft was powered down overnight.
Example Sentence 2
Technicians replaced the bubble memory module during the upgrade of the legacy flight director system.