Semiconductor services provider Globalfoundries (http://www.globalfoundries.com) is joining chip maker Qualcomm (http://www.qualcomm.com), the Imec (www.imec.be) research institute and several manufacturing equipment suppliers to explore the potential for spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) technology. The technology could enable read performance below 1-ns and scalability to below 10-nm minimum dimensions for embedded and standalone applications, the companies said in a release.
"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."
Imec, based in Leuven, Belgium, is able to capitalize on the expertise and knowledge of the entire semiconductor value chain, said Luc Van den hove, president and CEO at Imec. “We are bringing together foundries, IDMs, fabless and fablite companies, packaging and assembly companies, and equipment and material suppliers to drive innovation and the development of new, competitive products."
Imec performs research in nanoelectronics and provides a global collaborative platform for leading-edge technology solutions. Globalfoundries provides semiconductor foundry services worldwide, and Qualcomm is a fabless chip company specializing in communications and mobile technology.
