CORBEIL-ESSONNES, France — Altis Semiconductor SA, a joint venture wafer fabrication facility owned by IBM Corp. and Infineon Technologies AG, has been given the job of turning magnetic random access memory (MRAM) technology into a commercial product. Altis is expected to spend 170 million euro (about $200 million) over the next three years and create 140 engineering posts, according to reports.
How quickly the manufacture of reliable MRAM products can be shaken down on the Altis manufacturing lines and whether it would focus on a 256-Mbit devices, as has been previously suggested, were not confirmed by Altis as it made its announcement Tuesday (May 27).
The development work is due to start at Altis in mid-2003, Altis said. The Altis' project is part of a long-standing global cooperation between IBM and Infineon on MRAM and is expected to play a leading role in bringing MRAM memory from the fundamental R&D stage to the industrial phase.
The intention to move MRAM technology to Altis has been announced before. Two years ago it was said that the transfer of MRAM technology from IBM and Infineon to Altis would lead commercial introduction of a 256- or 128-Mbit memory made using a 0.13-micron manufacturing process technology by about a year (see April 17 2001 story).
"Two elements were instrumental in bringing this new program here in Altis: The proximity of the world-class R&D campus of the University of Orsay and the recognition of our engineers expertise combined with our world-class operational results on copper leading-edge technologies" Didier Lamouche, chief executive officer of Altis Semiconductor, said in a statement.
"Altis Semiconductor is a major player in the leading-edge semiconductor arena, its ability to master the most advanced copper technologies is a key asset for the MRAM program," said Wilhelm Beinvogl, chief technology officer of Infineon's memory product division.
MRAM uses magnetism instead of electrical charge to store data and, unlike conventional RAM, MRAM cells can maintain their state when power is turned off.
MRAM is one of two or three candidates as a "universal memory" technology offering the combination of non-volatility and high-speed random access, and which once mature could displace many established forms of solid-state memory. However, it does require an extremely thin metallic layer that has proved a challenge to master in manufacture. An alternative technology is ferroelectric memory, which Texas Instruments has endorsed as its candidate 'universal memory'.
Although IBM was an early researcher of MRAM technology, Motorola is also driving forward with the technology and expects to sample products late in 2003 (see November 13 2002 story).
Altis Semiconductor was formed in July 1999 as a joint venture between IBM and Infineon.
RSS
Digital
10 emerging technologies to watch:
EE Times has compiled a list of emerging technologies that we think will be worth watching out for in 2010. Biofeedback or thought-control of electronics are among the contenders.
Hot applications in 2010:
We've compiled a list of 10 technology applications you should watch for in 2010, ranging from e-book readers to 3-D TVs. We examine the features that make these apps so compelling as well unresolved issues.
Top 25 predictions for semis in 2010:
2010 is just beginning to unfold in the electronics industry. Looking into our crystal ball, we have released our own chip forecasts--and other predictions--for 2010.
Seven things to fix in 2010:
The editors of EE Times came up with their own informal list of things we hope engineers fix in 2010, spanning everything from nano-lithography to space travel. What do you want to see get done this year?
'09 moves that are shaping the future:
This was a brutal year, but the industry gets a nod for showing grace under fire. Here's our Top 10 guide to the coming year, illustrating what to expect in 2010.
10 CEOs out in 2009:
It's been a tough year for the global electronics industry and CEOs. We survey the dismissal of 10 industry CEOs during the first three quarters of 2009 and what's ahead for the rest of the year.
Notable women in microelectronics:
There is no better time than a global economic recession to examine the keys to successful corporate governance. So, EE Times has compiled an international list that celebrates women who are business and technology leaders in semis.
EE Times updates Silicon 60:
Seventeen companies have been added to the lastest version of our Silicon 60 list of emerging startups. Forty-three companies survived as emerging companies that are still worth watching.
RSS| 
Digital| 
Mobile
