Hynix, Ovonyx to develop phase change memory products

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor -- Electronic News, 10/1/2007

To develop phase change memory (PCM) products that promise higher performance, higher density and array-addressing, South Korea-based memory giant Hynix Semiconductor Inc. has inked a long-term license agreement with Rochester Hills, Mich.-based phase-change semiconductor memory technology developer Ovonyx Inc. 

As part of the agreement, Ovonyx is to actively support Hynix’ program to develop phase change memory products covered by Ovonyx’ patents and intellectual property (IP).

Ovonyx explained that it invented and pioneered the development of PCRAM technology with Energy Conversion Devices Inc., its largest shareholder, which provided a fundamental understanding of PCRAM operation, including phase change memory devices, materials, processing, design, modeling, and performance optimization. 

PCRAM technology uses a reversible phase-change memory process that allows high performance, dense, array-addressed semiconductor memory technology which can be applied in flash and DRAM memory applications, as well as in embedded applications including microcontrollers and reconfigurable MOS logic, the company noted.

Hynix also reminded that it has considerable experience and a significant portfolio of IP relating to semiconductor memories based on its many years of R&D. The memory giant said it will continue to pursue emerging technology development and commercialization of phase change memory products.

Ovonyx’s phase-change semiconductor memory technology was originally invented by S. R. Ovshinsky at Energy Conversion Devices.

Meant to allow faster write and erase speeds, Ovonyx said its nonvolatile memory technology also is aimed at higher cycling endurance, and better scaling performance with new generations of photolithography than conventional flash memory.

Manufactured with a simple fabrication process that allows the design of semiconductor chips with embedded nonvolatile memory using only a few additional mask steps, Ovonyx said it is pursuing commercialization of its array-addressed memory systems through licenses and joint development programs with semiconductor manufacturers including Hynix, BAESystems, Intel, ST Microelectronics, Samsung Electronics, Nanochip, Elpida Memory, and Qimonda.