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Motorola Produces World’s First 4 Mbit
MRAM Chip
Select Customers Now
Sampling 4 Mbit Nonvolatile Memory
Device
CHANDLER, Arizona, Oct. 27, 2003
– Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) has produced the world’s first 4 megabit
(Mbit) magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) chip. Select customers are
currently evaluating samples of this advanced memory technology. This technology
milestone is further evidence of the viability of MRAM, which potentially can
replace multiple existing memory
technologies.
“The fact that Motorola has
demonstrated a
4Mb MRAM
chip based on a 0.18-micron technology is great news for the industry,”
said Bob Merritt, vice president of Emerging Technologies with Semico Research
Corporation. “This is a significant advancement since Motorola’s
June 2002 demonstration of a 1Mb MRAM using 0.60-micron technology. That’s
like stepping over four or five process generations in little more than a
year.”
MRAM combines non-volatility with
incredible endurance and speed. In many appliances, electronics systems, and
consumer devices, MRAM could replace multiple memory devices. Designers may
benefit from reduced system complexity, lower overall system cost, and improved
performance. MRAM’s reliability and long-life may make it well-suited for
applications in harsh environments or requiring long system life such as
automotive and industrial. Recognizing MRAM’s potential,
Honeywell recently licensed Motorola’s MRAM technology
for military and aerospace
applications.
“For the past several
years, Motorola has led the industry in MRAM development with 256kb, 1Mbit and
now 4Mbit devices,” said
Dr. Claudine Simson,
chief technology officer, Motorola’s Semiconductor Products Sector.
“Our 4Mb MRAM chip not only showcases our technology, it will accelerate
the industry’s acceptance of MRAM technology. We’ve made significant
progress toward establishing a solid MRAM manufacturing technology capability.
We’re now working with lead customers on performance refinements for
future market introduction and broader sampling next
year.”
MRAM could initially enter the
market in applications that require speed, reliability and low power. MRAM is
suited for applications that value the ability to do high-performance writes
with unlimited read-write endurance, low write energy and/or data retention with
no energy. In several instances, MRAM could lower the number of component parts
and provide more reliability and competitive system cost to the
customer.
About
MRAM
Motorola has obtained several patents for
its approach to information storage. These patents cover multiple aspects of the
bit cell structure, programming method and circuit design. The discoveries
exploit unique magnetic characteristics of the technology, and make MRAM easier
to manufacture. Three of the most fundamental challenges facing MRAM
implementation - bit selectivity, data retention and scaling – are
addressed with this technology. The improved bit selectivity allows the writing
of information anywhere in the memory without disturbing previously stored data.
The exceptional data retention allows stable, long-term storage of information.
Scaling to smaller geometries allows designers to pack more cells into a smaller
area, resulting in lower cost.
Motorola has
demonstrated a 4Mb (256K x 16) “toggle” MRAM chip based on a
0.18-micron five-level metal CMOS process technology with fast access times.
This is a significant advancement since Motorola’s June 2002 demonstration
of a 1Mb MRAM using 0.60-micron technology. This type of memory is non-volatile,
meaning that the information in memory is retained when operating power is
turned off. The memory uses unidirectional programming currents with isolated
write and read paths and balanced current mirror sense amplifier. Motorola is
scheduled to present details of this unique “toggle” approach to
MRAM at the 2003 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting, December
8-10.
Additional
MRAM Background Information
is available on Motorola’s web
site.
About Motorola Semiconductor Products
Sector
As the world's #1 producer of embedded
processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector creates DigitalDNA™
system-on-chip solutions for a connected world. Our strong focus on wireless
communications and networking enables customers to develop smarter, simpler,
safer and synchronized products for the person, work team, home and automobile.
Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $5.0 billion (USD) in 2002. For
more information please visit
www.motorola.com/semiconductors
About
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global
leader in wireless, automotive and broadband communications. Sales in 2002 were
$27.3 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical
business practices and pioneering important innovations that make things smarter
and life better, honored traditions that began when the company was founded 75
years ago this year. For more information, please visit
www.motorola.com.
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Media
Contacts:
North
America
Angela
Hatfield
+1 (480)
413-4260
angie.hatfield@motorola.com
Asia-Pacific
Gloria
Shiu
+852 2666
8237
gloria.shiu@motorola.com
Europe,
Middle East, Africa
Regina
Cirmonova
+41 22 7991
258
regina.cirmonova@motorola.com
MOTOROLA
and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
All other product or service names are the property of their respective
owners.
© Motorola, Inc.
2003.
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