Weebit tapes out ReRAM demo chip with SkyWater foundry
Weebit Nano Ltd. (Hod Hasharon, Israel) has taped out a demo chip including a 256kbit ReRAM module in a 130nm manufacturing process with foundry SkyWater Technology.
Beside the memory the demo chip includes a RISC-V microcontroller, system interfaces and peripherals.
This is the first production tape-out of the ReRAM technology that has been in development at Weebit since the company’s founding in 2014. Originally based on silicon-oxide insulator material the company has moved the technology on to more complex oxides (see Weebit moves ReRAM on to ‘secret-sauce’ materials).
When originally founded the company expected to have a first commercial device by mid-2017. Nonetheless Weebit, working extensively with CEA-Leti as a research partners, has made some of the best progress on developing a novel non-volatile memory with the chance to scale beyond flash memory.
130nm process
SkyWater’s 130nm CMOS process is suitable for applications such as analog, power management, automotive, IoT and medical electronics. SkyWater customers will be able to use the demo chip as a platform for testing and prototyping ahead of volume production.
Weebit’s memory module includes a 256kbit ReRAM array, control logic, decoders, I/O and error correcting code circuitry. It supports an extended temperature range, 10 years’ data retention at high temperatures and is radiation-hardened by nature. Weebit did not quantify the expected access time or power consumption.
Weebit’s ReRAM is expected to be significantly faster, less expensive, more reliable and more energy efficient than flash memory solutions.
“This successful tape-out concludes the technology transfer to SkyWater’s US production fab, and once the chips are back from the fab, we will proceed with technology qualification. We’re in discussions with early-adopter customers looking to leverage our faster, more efficient memory technology to increase their competitiveness in the market,” said Coby Hanoch, CEO of Weebit Nano, in a statement.
Thomas Sonderman, SkyWater CEO, said: “We plan to offer Weebit ReRAM as part of our growing portfolio of silicon-proven design IP. Weebit ReRAM is a rich building block our customers can leverage to create innovative, highly differentiated SoC designs.”
Related links and articles:
News articles:
Weebit moves ReRAM on to ‘secret-sauce’ materials
Weebit takes silicon-oxide ReRAM to 22nm FDSOI
Weebit Nano puts silicon-oxide ReRAM on 28nm FDSOI
SkyWater foundry to take Weebit ReRAM to volume
Chinese ReRAM startup raises $100 million
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