Embedded MRAM - Page 4

Digitimes reports that Samsung Foundry will soon start mass producing MRAM chips using Samsung's 28nm fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FD-SOI) process technology.

Digitimes says that Samsung has collaborated with NXP on this project. Samsung has completed the tape-out of its embededd MRAM which will be first applied to NXP's new low-power i.MX-series chipset targeted at automotive, multimedia and display panel applications.

In September 2016 Everspin announced that its perpendicular (pMTJ) STT-MRAM memory is going to be deployed by Global Foundries as an embedded 22nm memory (as part of the 22FDX platform). Today GlobalFoundries (GF) announced that eMRAM technology is now available for the 22FDX platform.

GF says that its eMRAM technology is the industry's most advanced embedded memory solution, and it provides high performance and superior reliability for broad applications in consumer and industrial controllers, data centers, Internet of Things, and automotive.

GlobalFoundries has plans to deploy Everspin's perpendicular (pMTJ) STT-MRAM as an embedded 22nm memory - as part of GF's 22FDX platform. GlobalFoundries has released a technical paper that details the eMRAM ability to retain data at high temperatures.

The eMRAM can retain data through solder reflow at 260 degrees Celsius, and for more than 10 years at 125 degrees Celsius, plus read/write with outstanding endurance at 125 degrees Celsius. GlobalFoundries says that this will enable eMRAM to be used for general purpose MCUs and automotive SOCs.

According to reports, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is aiming to start producing embedded MRAM chips in 2018 using a 22 nm process. This will be initial "risk production" to gauge market reception.

TSMC also aims to start embedded RRAM chip production in 2019.

Luc Thomas from Headway, a TDK-owned recording head designer and producer, explains the basic principles and challenges of STT-MRAM for embedded memory applications:

This lecture was given at the MSST 2017 Mass Storage Conference (May 15 — 19, 2017).

Samsung demonstrated an LCD display that uses a tCON chip that uses embedded 28nm pMTJ STT-MRAM memory, instead of the normally used SRAM. The MRAM device had a density of 8Mb and a 1T-1MTJ cell architecture. The cell size is 0.0364 um².

A tCON chip is a timing controller chip that processes the video signal input and processes it to generate control signal to the source & gate driver of the LCD display. The memory is used a a frame memory which stores previous frame data. Samsung prepared a test chip that contains both SRAM and MRAM memory devices to show that there is no difference between the two. SRAM replacement is a popular MRAM application.

Everspin announced that its perpendicular (pMTJ) STT-MRAM memory is going to be deployed by Global Foundries as an embedded 22nm memory. Everspin licensed its technology global foundries which will offer this as part of its 22FDX platform.

The 22FDX platform targets emerging applications such as battery powered consumer devices, IoT, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Vision Processing. Customers of Global Foundries will now be able to embed MRAM memory in next-generation SoC and MCU based producers.

Avalanche Technology has been awarded new key patents in the areas of STT-MRAM technology, MRAM integration and manufacturing and perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junction (pMTJ) STT-MRAM. This follows eight new key patents awarded to Avalanche since the beginning of 2014.

Avalanche (founded in 2006 and based in California, US) developed patented Spin Programmable STT-MRAM (SPMEM) memory that uses a revolutionary proprietary spin current and voltage switching technology. The company wants to license their technology for embedded applications and also build discrete standalone memory devices. In July 2012 the company raised $30 million.

Belgian's research center Imec announced today that it will collaborate with Canon Anelva on STT-MRAM research and development. This collaboration will be part of imec's R&D program on advanced emerging memory technologies and aims to explore the full technology potential of STT-MRAM including performance beyond 1ns and scalability beyond 10 nm for embedded & stand alone applications.

Canon Anelva already installed a deposition tool in imec’s state-of-the-art 300-mm clean room. Combined with imec’s advanced litho-cluster and its material engineering capabilities, imec’s industrial partners now have access to a complete 300-mm STT-MRAM-dedicated processing capability.

MagSil today announced that they will reach full scale commercialization of their MRAM technology during 2009.
MagSil are developing MRAM for embedded devices (e-MRAM). MagSil's technology relies only on using industry proven equipment, processes and materials.
They will also require more funding (they are VC backed, and raised money last at 2007).