Crocus Technology, a developer of magnetic memory, this week announced a joint technology development agreement and a patent license agreement with IBM. The patent license provides mutual access to patents that will enable the companies to collaborate and integrate magnetic technology into semiconductor products.
Under the technology agreement, Crocus and IBM will jointly develop semiconductor technology that combines Crocus’s thermally assisted next generation Magnetic-Logic-UnitTM (MLU) technology with IBM’s magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) technology and processing capabilities.
MLU, first announced by Crocus in June, 2011, is based on a revolutionary self-reference architecture. MLU is a scalable evolution of Crocus’ Thermally Assisted SwitchingTM (TAS) technology, and enables practical implementation of advanced magnetic logic and memory capabilities, a first for the industry. This innovation will expand the market for Crocus’ magnetic technology by opening up new applications in high density data storage, secure commerce and communications, high performance network processing and high temperature automotive and industrial uses.
IBM’s MRAM technology promises significant advantages over competing memory technologies including low power usage, high speed, unlimited endurance (read and write cycles), and inherent non-volatility meaning data can be retained even if power is discontinued. MRAM has the potential to enable «instant-on” computers and longer battery life for mobile computing devices.
Crocus plans to deploy the process technology resulting from the joint development at its manufacturing venture, Crocus Nano Electronics (CNE).
SOURCE: RUSNANO (press release)
