Imec and GLOBALFOUNDRIES announced today that they have expanded joint development efforts to advance STT-MRAM (spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory) technology.
The first IC manufacturer to join imec’s R&D program on emerging memory technologies, GLOBALFOUNDRIES completes the value chain of imec’s research platform, which fuels industry collaboration from technology up to the system level. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is joining a team with a leading fabless company 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 aim to explore the potential of STT-MRAM, including performance below 1ns and scalability beyond 10nm 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 we offer our industrial partners,” stated Luc Van den hove, president and CEO at imec. “Our unique research environment harnesses the collective expertise and knowledge of the entire value chain, 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.”
“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 performs research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of more than 2,000 people includes more than 650 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2012, imec’s revenue (P&L) totaled 320 million euro.
GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world’s first full-service semiconductor foundry with a global footprint. With operations in Singapore, Germany and the United States, GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the only foundry that offers manufacturing centers spanning three continents. The company’s three 300mm fabs and five 200mm fabs provide the full range of process technologies from mainstream to the leading edge. This global manufacturing footprint is supported by major facilities for research, development and design enablement located near hubs of semiconductor activity in the United States, Europe and Asia. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is owned by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC).