^{https://www.lemagit.fr/actualites/252526725/Memoires-Weebit-Nano-reparle-de-ses-ReRAM}

Memories: Weebit Nano talks about its ReRAM again

The Israeli startup has passed the final validation tests before finally being able to launch the production of its memories similar to Intel's Optanes, and which can be integrated into processors.

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• Yann Serra, LeMagIT

Published on: Oct 31, 2022

This time it would be good. The Israeli startup Weebit Nano, which promises to launch its ReRAM memories “soon” every year , has finally validated the last stage of their manufacturing process.

“We are pleased to announce that we have successfully completed the technology qualification stage for the manufacture of our ReRAM modules. This step is a must for each semiconductor product which must benefit from an unprecedented manufacturing process,” writes the startup in a press release .

In this case, it was necessary to wait for an external firm to test the first batches of components produced by Weebit Nano according to JEDEC protocols. The JEDEC is a standardization office for everything related to non-volatile memories, that is to say NAND memories and all those that claim to go beyond them. Its tests consist in qualifying the mass production of electronic circuits.

Succeeding Intel Optane

A ReRAM module is supposed to meet the same needs as Optane modules at Intel: a memory almost as fast as RAM, but which retains its data even in the absence of electricity. It is a question of proposing excessively fast storage products or, it is according to memories which avoid reloading the data with each incident or with each update. In both cases, it would be a question of improving the reliability and the speed of the databases, in the datacenter, or of the connected devices, in the field.

Intel's Optane modules achieved this through 3D XPoint circuitry developed with Micron. They were sold in the form of DDR4 modules twice as capacitive as those of DRAM, or in the form of SSDs ten times faster than traditional SSDs. Unfortunately, Intel never managed to boost sales enough to make their manufacturing profitable. The founder ended up burying this range a little earlier this year.

ReRAM memory cells are a priori simpler to manufacture than 3D XPoint cells, in the sense that each transistor would only need two layers of silicon oxide between its two electrodes. According to Weebit Nano, the production should thus cost four times less than that of Optane . Initially, Weebit Nano explained that it had found a factory in China to melt its circuits. Now, he says, “Evaluate multiple industry partners.” It must be said that, in the meantime, the USA has warned all electronics manufacturers that they will not receive any contribution if they supply themselves in one way or another from a Chinese factory.

Integrating ReRAM into processors

The simplicity of ReRAM cells allows in theory to burn circuits with a precision of 12 nm, almost as much as a processor, and tens of times better than a NAND cell. Weebit Nano actually plans to manufacture a non-volatile memory that could even be embedded in a processor. He also has in his laboratories a prototype RISC-V processor equipped with such a memory.

The other side of the coin, this simplicity requires that a controller be embedded in the ReRAM memory component to direct the data from the bus which communicates with the processor of the host machine. This controller was developed in Grenoble by CEA-Leti . It was its integration alongside memory cells that seemed to require extensive testing by JEDEC.

At this stage, it is not certain that the first modules of ReRAM can arrive on the market in 2023. It was initially planned to market them in 2021 .