Efabless Partners with Weebit for 130nm ReRAM Memory

Efabless, a company based in the US, has announced a partnership to offer the Weebit Nano resistive non-volatile memory for prototype devices utilizing a 130nm process from Skyworks. This collaboration allows Efabless chipIgnite customers to access the Weebit ReRAM technology to integrate into designs manufactured using SkyWater Technology Foundry’s 130nm CMOS (S130) process. The Weebit ReRAM technology in SkyWater S130 is known for its ultra-low power consumption, fast operation, radiation tolerance, and security features, making it an excellent choice for non-volatile memory applications requiring reliability even at high temperatures. The technology is qualified for automotive-grade temperatures and is ready for production.

As part of the agreement, Efabless customers will be required to pay a nominal fee to incorporate Weebit ReRAM into their designs during the prototyping phase. Should a customer decide to proceed to commercial production with their design, they will then obtain a license for the Weebit ReRAM IP directly from Weebit. Erad Briman, the VP of marketing and business development at Weebit, explained, “There’s the manufacturing aspect of the IP with the foundry involving the process steps, and we license the design IP to customers, providing them with the full macro.”

The chipIgnite platform, offered by Efabless, is an open-source chip design tool that simplifies and makes affordable the process of designing and fabricating chips for prototyping or small production runs in various fields such as IoT and artificial intelligence. By leveraging Weebit ReRAM within the chipIgnite ecosystem, users can enhance the capabilities of their products as they prototype and test their innovative designs. Coby Hanoch, the CEO of Weebit Nano, expressed enthusiasm for the chipIgnite program, highlighting its potential to facilitate the rapid and cost-effective development and testing of new designs across different sectors.

The underlying resistive RAM technology behind Weebit Nano's ReRAM was initially developed at CEA-Leti in France, catering to applications where embedded flash memory may not be suitable, particularly in edge AI applications. Weebit has successfully qualified the ReRAM technology down to 22nm, showcasing its versatility and scalability for various design requirements. Mohamed Kassem, the CTO of Efabless, emphasized the company's commitment to simplifying chip design and prototyping while meeting the growing demand for integrated non-volatile memory solutions.

In addition to its collaboration with Skyworks, Weebit has also partnered with DongBu Hitek in Korea to license the ReRam technology for power management and high voltage BCD processes. The company recently showcased a technology demonstrator in collaboration with GlobalFoundries at the Embedded World exhibition, signaling its continuous efforts to expand its partnerships and technological reach. By exploring new avenues for collaboration and innovation, Weebit aims to further establish itself as a key player in the non-volatile memory market.