The past few years have made one thing clear, you just can’t imagine a world without tech. More recently, however, the narrative has grown to include sustainability and user-friendliness in tech. If we are going to live in an advanced world soon, it better not be at the cost of our time and energy. In keeping with that, companies, like Weebit Nano (ASX: WBT), a developer of next-generation memory technologies for the global semiconductor industry, have been developing ReRAM (or resistive RAM) selectors. The one by Weebit is suitable for both embedded and discrete (stand-alone) applications, greatly increasing the number of possible applications for Weebit’s technology.
With its development partner CEA-Leti, the Company has demonstrated the potential of the Weebit ReRAM selector to achieve the high densities needed for discrete chips using standard materials and tools. Weebit Nano’s ReRAM works as a non-volatile memory block that retains and displays data even when the power is turned off. It is fast, efficient and so small that it is easy to apply across industries, like data and security, that need large amounts of memory storage.
Moreover, this same selector technology will fit embedded applications, enabling unprecedented Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) densities for future system-on-chips (SoCs). The new Weebit ReRAM selector was manufactured in CEA-Leti’s R&D fab, and the silicon wafers were thoroughly tested for both programming and leakage currents.
Weebit Nano CEO, Coby Hanoch, commented, “We have worked hard to create a ReRAM selector that can achieve high densities using fab-friendly materials and standard tools, and accomplishing this is a significant development for Weebit. Such a selector will make it easy and cost-effective for any foundry to integrate the technology into existing processes and offer it to their customers.”
He added that by creating a selector that can be used for both discrete and embedded applications, the Company is boosting its value proposition for companies developing advanced SoCs for applications like edge AI, which need a reliable, cost-effective replacement for embedded flash.
Weebit conducted internal testing that showed that the ratio between programming current and leakage current was at industry standard, signifying high on-state and low leakage current. In a memory array, the role of a selector is to ensure that only the specific cells which should be accessed actually are, and all other cells are disconnected and not impacted.
Currently, embedded designs in devices use a transistor as the selector device to optimize performance. However, transistors increase the cell area of a memory bit and therefore cannot support the high densities required for discrete chips. Weebit recognises that upcoming innovations in AI and the like will need great memory ranges.
And so, the Company has undertaken the task of developing cost-efficient selectors using only standard materials and tools. It’s not easy, but it can reduce manufacturing costs and complexities, given that it is small in size and mighty in performance.
ReRAMs, or RRAMs, are known for consuming less power and providing greater storage capability. Plus, as fields like AI, automotives and consumer markets expand, ReRAM will find itself in demand across multiple avenues, setting Weebit up for success.
Weebit reported that its selector development will take place while it rolls out its embedded technology for mass production.
Alinda is a Business Reporter for The Sentiment
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