pMTJ

Researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully demonstrated fast p-MTJ switching (1 ns, compared to current switching that is >10 ns). "The researchers achieved this using the topological insulator BiSb as the SOT layer, and say the device offers a current density about 20 times smaller than typical.

The researchers say that this technology can be applied to develop p-MTJs for SOT-MRAM that will offer ultrafast operations and ultra low power consumption, while also offering higher reliability. This follows earlier work by the same group on BiSb p-MTJs.

A research team from Northwestern Engineering, led by Prof. Pedram Khalili developed highly efficiency nanoscale perpendicular MRAM (pMTJ) devices that use sub-volt switching. The researcher say that this new technology can allow scaling MRAM to very high densities.

The new devices are referred to as voltage-controlled MRAM (VCM), that does not rely on current like regular MRAM devices. Most VCM devices need high switching voltage (at least 2 volts), but by using a new material structure with significantly higher sensitivity of the magnetic properties to voltage, the researchers were able to operate at less than one volt.

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced plans to start producing some of its MRAM devices at LA Semiconductor, a US-based mixed-signal foundry at Pocatello ID (a former onsemi site) with its 180 nm mixed signal and power process capabilities.

Avalanche Technology says that by moving its production  to the US, it shows its commitment to the local aerospace and defense community with an assured source of domestic manufacturing.

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced that its latest 3rd-Gen MRAM devices are now in production at its foundry partner, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC). The company says that its new MRAM chips offer significant density, endurance, reliability and power benefits over existing non-volatile solutions.

Avalanche's new Parallel x 32 series is offered as a standard product in various density options and has asynchronous SRAM-compatible read/write timings. Avalanche also says that it will soon start developing 16Gb MRAM chips.

Researchers from the University of Arizona developed a new pMTJ structure that exhibits high magnetoresistance, strong retention and is likely to achieve fast switching times as well.

The new structure uses a multi-interface free layer (MIFL) which incorporate multiple materials with different properties. The researchers used a ferromagnetic CoFeB layer with nonmagnetic Mo or MgO layers. The magnetoresistance can be controlled by changing the thickness of the CoFeB layer. The researchers managed to demonstrate a magnetoresistance of over 200%.

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced that it has signed an agreement with LinearASICs Inc. to develop companion chiplets to offer a complete portfolio of Space Grade products with SPI and DDR interfaces, based on Avalanche's 1Gb Space Grade MRAM.

Avalanche's 2nd-Gen P-SRAM evaluation kit

LinearASICs will provide standalone serial interface chiplets such as Octal SPI (OSPI), as well as standard memory interface chiplets such as DDR. These chiplets will be available as standalone devices or integrated modules through Avalanche.

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced that it is now shipping new space-grade parallel asynchronous x16-interface high-reliability P-SRAM (Persistent SRAM) memory devices, based on its latest STT-MRAM technology.

Avalanche says that its STT-MRAM devices are smaller and more efficienct compared to Toggle MRAM based products, currently adopted in aerospace applications. The Parallel x16 Space Grade series is offered in 16Mb, 32Mb and 64Mb density options and has asynchronous SRAM compatible 45ns/45ns read/write timings. All three density options currently in production and available within industry standard lead times.

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced that its new industrial-grade Serial (SPI) P-SRAM (Persistent SRAM) memory devices are now available. The Serial (SPI) memory devices are designed to be drop-in replacements to Cypress F-RAM and Everspin Toggle MRAM memory products.

The Series (SPI) series supports up to 50MHz clock rate in 1Mb and 4Mb density options, in two packages - 8-pin SOIC and 8-pin WSON. These use Avalanche's 40nm pMTJ STT-MRAM chips.

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced that it closed its latest funding round led by Thomvest Ventures, having raised $33 million.

Avalanche currently brands its MRAM chips as P-SRAM (persistent SRAM) devices. The new funds will enable the company to develop higher-density P-SRAM devices. In addition, Avalanche says it will develop the higher densities of "persistent DRAM" required for the next generation of machine learning architectures.