17 November 2020 – Weebit Nano (ASX: WBT), a leading developer of next-generation memory technology for the global semiconductor industry, and its development partner CEA-Leti, the French research institute recognised as a global leader in the field of micro-electronics, have extended their partnership to incorporate additional activities across three key domains: further enhancements to Weebit’s ReRAM technology, development of the embedded memory module, and development of the selector for the standalone memory market.
While Weebit prepares to transfer its technology to a production fab, the joint Weebit-Leti team is focused on further enhancing the efficiency and robustness of Weebit’s ReRAM technology. Weebit’s refinement of its ReRAM technology is being carried out alongside key productisation and commercialisation steps, ensuring its technology remains industry-leading and attractive to potential customers and partners.
In parallel, Weebit and Leti are enhancing the capability of the embedded memory module, adding key functionality to better address customer needs and meet production levels. This decision followed discussions and input from industry experts and partners. While the added functionality significantly increases its attractiveness to potential customers, it is expected to slightly push out the completion of the memory module design stage to June 2021. This may slightly delay the ability to finalise a commercial agreement by the same time, though steps are being taken to minimise this likelihood.
Weebit’s ReRAM memory module will be one of the first in the world to be integrated into a sub-system consisting of a processor, Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM), the ReRAM array and peripherals. Once complete, the module can be used as a development platform for customers developing applications such as low-energy IoT devices, security, sensors, etc., accelerating their development cycle.
Development work integrating Leti’s proprietary selector with Weebit’s ReRAM is continuing as planned, with the goal of demonstrating a working combined cell by September 2021.
Coby Hanoch, CEO of Weebit Nano, said: “We are delighted to be broadening Weebit’s strategic partnership with Leti beyond our initial plans. This includes enhancing the performance of our silicon oxide ReRAM technology to ensure it is even more competitive, resulting in a more efficient and robust memory technology. The extended agreement also allows us to upgrade the module to include enhanced and more advanced capabilities, better addressing future customer needs. We believe the enhanced module functionality will appeal to more potential customers as we look to secure first commercial agreements.
“Leti has been the ideal partner to assist Weebit in developing its next generation memory technology. While COVID-19 has impacted our development schedule and caused some unavoidable delays, our joint development team is working closely together and is now almost at full capacity. Travel limitations have prevented face-to-face design and review sessions, which would normally have a significant impact on our development schedules. However, we have managed to minimise this impact through mutual trust and co-operation.”
Thomas Signamarcheix, VP Strategic Development of CEA-Leti, said: “We are very excited to further extend our close partnership with Weebit, which now covers a much broader range of activities. Weebit’s technology is very impressive and we believe it has a very strong potential in the market, both as a memory IP as well as in the neuromorphic domain. We are proud to be Weebit’s development partner and are looking forward to many more years of joint development.”
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board.
About Weebit Nano Limited
Weebit Nano is a leader in the development of next generation computer memory technology and plans to become the new industry standard in this space. Its goal is to address the growing need for a significantly higher performance and lower power computer memory technology. Weebit Nano’s ReRAM technology is based on fab-friendly Silicon Oxide, allowing the company to rapidly execute, without the need for special equipment or preparations. The company secured several patents to ensure optimal commercial and legal protection for its ground-breaking technology.
Weebit Nano’s technology enables a quantum leap, allowing semiconductor memory elements to be significantly cheaper, faster, more reliable and more energy efficient than the existing Flash technology. Weebit Nano has signed an R&D agreement with Leti, an R&D institute that specialises in nanotechnologies, to further develop SiOx ReRAM technology.
For more information please visit: http://www.weebit-nano.com/
