Imec and GLOBALFOUNDRIES announced today that they have expandedjoint development effortsto advance STT-MRAM (spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory) technology.
The first IC manufacturer to joinimec’sR&D program on emerging memory technologies, GLOBALFOUNDRIES completes the value chain ofimec’s research platform, which fuels industry collaboration from technology up to the system level.GLOBALFOUNDRIES is joining a team with a leading fabless company (http://www2.imec.be/be_en/press/imec-news/qualcomm2013.html) and several worldwide equipment suppliers providing the complete infrastructure necessary for R&D on STT-MRAM.
STT-MRAM technology is a promising high-density alternative to existing memory technologies,like SRAM and DRAM.Together, imec and the program members aimto explore the potential of STT-MRAM, including performance below 1nanosecond (ns) and scalability beyond 10nanometers (nm) for embedded and standalone applications.
“We are elated to intensify our collaboration with GLOBALFOUNDRIES and the other program members on advanced memory technologies—it’s a true testament to the value weoffer our industrial partners,” stated Luc Van den hove, president and CEO at imec. “Our unique research environment harnesses the collectiveexpertise and knowledge of the entire value chain,bringing togetherfoundries, IDMs, fabless and fablite companies, packaging and assembly companies, and equipment and material suppliersto drive innovation and the development of new, competitive products.”
“Innovation in next-generation memory is required to give chip designers new options to continue to deliver leading-edge products with higher performance, lower power-consumption, and better bandwidth,” said GLOBALFOUNDRIES chief technology officer Gregg Bartlett. “This new partnership with imec will enable close collaboration with customers, partners, and the supplier community to help reduce the risk in bringing this new memory technology to market.”