Combining technologies to speed availability of new FeRAM memory
24 January 2001
News
Infineon Technologies and Toshiba Corporation have announced a comprehensive agreement to develop nonvolatile memory technology and products based on the ferroelectric principle.
Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FeRAM) represents a new paradigm in memory technologies. Using ferroelectric materials, FeRAM combines the high-speed and endurance of widely used dynamic and static random access memories with the ability to store information in the absence of power.
Technology and product work under the agreement will focus on memory cell structure development, boosting the number of read and write cycles, raising access speeds, enhancing long term reliability and establishing a method for resolving metal contamination of silicon during chip production, said the companies.
The advantages of FeRAM compared to NOR flash memory devices include SRAM-like fast read and program response times, low power consumption and an immense number of nonvolatile read and write cycles. This makes the technology well-suited for use in applications as diverse as game consoles, cellular phones, mobile products and IC cards. Infineon and Toshiba said they will introduce a 32M FeRAM as their first jointly developed product. It is expected to replace the current multi chip package (MCP) module for cellular phones, which consists of an SRAM chip and a NOR flash memory in a stacked configuration.
Toshiba can offer its advantages in PZT (lead zirconate titanate) process technology, its patented 'chained' cell structure, its 1T1C (1 transistor 1 capacitor) cell structure, and know-how gained in development of the 8M FeRAM. Infineon will contribute know-how in enhancing the number of read and write cycles and in resolving metal contamination of silicon.
Working from the state-of-the-art 8M FeRAM recently developed by Toshiba, the collaboration plans to produce and jointly market its first engineering samples in March 2001. Commercialisation of a 32M device is expected at the end of 2002, and the collaboration will then be extended to 64M, or as far as 128M devices, depending on market conditions.
www.infineon.com
www.toshiba.co.jp
Further reading:
SACEEC celebrates standout industrial innovation on the KITE 2025 show floor
News
Exhibitor innovation took the spotlight at the KITE 2025 as the South African Capital Equipment Export Council announced the winners of its prestigious New Product & Innovation Awards.
Read more...
SA team for International Olympiad in Informatics
News
The Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa has named the team that will represent South Africa at this year’s International Olympiad in Informatics.
Read more...
Anritsu and Bluetest to support OTA measurement
News
Anritsu Company and Sweden-based Bluetest AB have jointly developed an Over-The-Air measurement solution to evaluate the performance of 5G IoT devices compliant with the RedCap specification.
Read more...
The current sentiment of the global electronics manufacturing supply chain
News
In its latest report, the Global Electronics Association provides an analysis of the current sentiment and conditions in the global electronics manufacturing supply chain as of June 2025.
Read more...
Global semiconductor sales increase in May
News
The Semiconductor Industry Association recently announced global semiconductor sales were $59,0 billion during the month of May 2025, an increase of 19,8%.
Read more...
New president for Avnet EMEA
News
Avnet has announced that Avnet Silica’s president, Gilles Beltran, will step into the role of president of Avnet EMEA.
Read more...
DARPA sets new record for wireless power beaming
News
In tests performed in New Mexico, the Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay program team recorded over 800 W of power delivered for about 30 seconds with a laser beam crossing 8,6 kilometres.
Read more...
Nordic Semiconductor acquires Memfault
RF Design
News
With this acquisition, Nordic has launched its first complete chip-to-cloud platform for lifecycle management of connected products.
Read more...
Trina storage demonstrates high efficiency and long-term reliability
News
Independent testing confirms 95,2% DC efficiency and 98% capacity retention after one year of operation.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: AI – a double-edged sword
Technews Publishing
News
As with any powerful tool, AI presents challenges, some of which, if not carefully managed, threaten to undo the potential that it can offer.
Read more...
printer friendly version