June 29, 2022
Demonstrated SoC working capability for embedded applications including 256Kb resistive memory, RISC-V based microcontroller and communication interfaces. “This is a major milestone because it is a production-level typo, not a development level.”
Pictured above: The new demo chip scheme against the background of Skywater’s production line in the USA
Vibit Nano (Weebit Nano) Hod Hasharon has completed initial production (Tapeout) of a complete system to demonstrate the practical use of non-volatile ReRAM resistance memory, which it developed in collaboration with the French Research Institute CEA-Leti. The demo chips were manufactured by the company SkyWater American in the process of manufacturing almost-standard CMOS. Skywater is recognized as a small chipmaker that manufactures components primarily for the U.S. defense system and for demanding applications in the aerospace, industrial, and medical device fields.
The demo chip developed at the French Institute is in fact a complete SoC component produced in 130 nm geometry and includes 256Kb ReRAM memory, RISC-V based microcontroller and communication interfaces. You can program the demo component and run applications that utilize the processing and memory storage capabilities. The company said it could be used as a complete solution for embedded applications that withstand harsh environmental conditions such as high temperatures, radiation, ability to function for 10 years at high temperatures and a very small power consumption level in standby mode. In fact, these are highly sought after features in the field of military and industrial systems.
Primary Target Market: Embedded Systems
Vibit’s memory technology is characterized by extremely low power consumption along with withstanding high temperatures and harsh environmental conditions. For example, experiments performed on a 28-nanometer memory component showed that it continues to function efficiently even after being exposed to a temperature of 210 ° C for 15 consecutive hours. SkyWater President and CEO Thomas Saunderman said the company plans to offer the technology to its customers. “This technology arouses great interest and enthusiasm among our customers,” he said.
In April 2022, the company reported on progress in the component’s development process, and on this occasion also stated that after the module was approved for production at Skywater, “it will be possible to start mass production.” Does this indicate that the company plans to develop and provide a full module in the format of the Pebbles company? The company’s VP of marketing and business development, Eran Briman, told Techtime that while there are such thoughts about the distant future, it has nothing to do with the structure of the demo chip itself.
Briman: “In the immediate term we are focusing on the embedded systems market and want to show customers that they can embed the memory within their designs. For us, this is a major milestone because it is a typoout at the production level and not at the development level. “Once we have completed all the testing and certification processes of the wipers we receive from Skywater, that means we are ready for mass production and marketing.”
The ReRAM market is on the verge of hacking
Another company involved in the production of resistance memory is probably Globalfoundries. In the past, Webbit has reported that it is bringing the technology to production capability with 22-nanometer FD-SOI technology (owned by Globalfoundries). Completing the transition to 22 will be an important milestone, as it is currently the most widely used manufacturing technology in the industry as it provides the best balance between performance, power and cost. “The process will give us an important advantage, because it is not possible to produce flash RAM at 22 nanometers.”
Vibit Nano is traded on the Australian Stock Exchange at a value of approximately $ 268 million. It currently employs about 50 people, of whom about 30 in Israel and the rest in the chip development team in France. The company’s coffers include more than $ 50 million. This is after a series of capital raisings were carried out in 2021, and at the beginning of 2022 many shares were purchased by investors who were given an option to purchase shares at prices below the market price.
One of the reasons for the move by investors lies in the fact that unlike most of the chip stocks in the market, the Vibit Nano stock has maintained its value relatively in recent months. It may also be related to the expectation from the market of resistance memories. Research firm Data Bridge estimates that the ReRAM memory market is expected to grow at a rate of nearly 17% per year by 2028, reaching more than $ 1.5 billion. This means that this is a very new market that is only now beginning to gain momentum.
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Posted in tags: wibit
