See also: International Electronics Forum 2009 - News Roundup
Numonyx, the Intel-STMicroelectronics flash memory joint venture, is becoming more open about its phase change RAM but not totally open. In the first generation of its 128Mbit PC RAM Numonyx only issued data sheets to 40 potential customers under NDA.
With the new iteration of its 128Mbit part, Numonyx is offering an 'easy access' programme allowing potential customers to register themselves with Numonyx and, if they pass muster, to get access to the data sheets.
PC RAM has been in development for 40 years without becoming a mainstream memory. Asked by Electronics Weekly what has happened to make it a stable, volume product, Brian Harrison, CEO of Numonyx, replied: "The best proof is it's in production". He says he has 40 customers currently taking product.
Why would they want such a low-density memory when 32Gbit memories are available from the traditional floating gate suppliers, Harrison replied: "Because they want a memory with more than 100,000 cycles and more than ten years of data retention."
Asked how his PC RAM compared with BAe System's PC RAM, widely regarded as the best PC RAM in the industry, Harrison replied: "I'm not aware of what BAe has on the market."
Asked how he could afford the high R&D and capex costs associated with the memory business, Harrison replied: "We don't have the leading edge, and we have a high degree of re-use." Numonyx's production of its traditional floating gate flash memory range is currently on 90nm.
When it comes to high density floating gate memories or 3bit-per-cell technology, Numonyx is relying on its partner, Hynix.
Numonyx's own production is focusing on the lower density flash memories (512Mbit-1Gbit) which Numonyx says is the requirement of the wireless hand-set manufacturers.
Numonyx is 75% a NOR supplier and 25% a NAND supplier and has a ONENAND product which can be used for both data and programme storage.
See also: Mannerisms, the blog of David Manners. Updated twice daily, it's the distinctive, entertaining, authoritative and never dull commentary on the semiconductor industry, from someone who knows. Sign up for the Mannerisms eNewsletter.