Both companies are working to deliver commercial memory solutions using sureCore’s patented memory architectures and Intrinsic’s RRAM cell. Using a combination of Intrinsic’s CMOS compatible technology and sureCore’s high-performance, low power memory architectures it will be possible to accelerate the development process and delivery of this new embedded non-volatile memory.
By exploiting sureCore’s extensive experience with memory compiler design, statistical verification and characterisation it will be possible to make this RRAM technology more readily available to SoC developers looking for next generation high-speed low-power non-volatile embedded memory.
Commenting Mark Dickenson, CEO Intrinsic, said, “Our RRAM technology provides a step change in performance and power metrics compared to existing solutions. Working closely with sureCore memory design experts will allow us to dramatically reduce time-to-market.”
The RRAM technology requires no modifications to FEOL processing and can be readily integrated in a standard BEOL metal stack, significantly easing foundry deployment. Key markets for this technology include the entire microcontroller (MCU) market, IoT, and Edge AI, which are currently hindered by the existing performance constraints associated with Flash.
“Scaling challenges with Flash have driven the industry to innovate with new magnetic and resistive solutions aiming to provide high density non-volatile storage," said Dickenson. "Typically, however, these technologies provide relatively slow access or additional integration challenges. Either way the result is that their content is copied to a standard SRAM before it is used. The holy grail is, of course, a low-power non-volatile memory with the read performance of SRAM and this is now a very realistic possibility with our RRAM.”
Paul Wells, sureCore CEO, said, “I think Intrinsic have created something special here and it’s a privilege for us to be able to work together to bring the technology to market in a timely manner. Our low power SRAM IP expertise will enable us to provide Intrinsic with both design capability and the relevant support infrastructure to enable their RRAM IP to be delivered in industry standard formats.”
