STT-MRAM

STT-MRAM (also called STT-RAM or sometimes ST-MRAM and ST-RAM) is an advanced type of MRAM devices. STT-MRAM enables higher densities, low power consumption and reduced cost compared to regular (so-called Toggle MRAM) devices. The main advantage of STT-MRAM over Toggle MRAM is the ability to scale the STT-MRAM chips to achieve higher densities at a lower cost.

STT-MRAM has the potential to become a leading storage technology as it is a high-performance memory (can challenge DRAM and SRAM) that can scale well below 10nm and challenge the low cost of flash memory.

What is STT-MRAM?

STT stands for Spin-Transfer Torque. In an STT-MRAM device, the spin of the electrons is flipped using a spin-polarized current. This effect is achieved in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) or a spin-valve, and STT-MRAM devices use STT tunnel junctions (STT-MTJ). A spin-polarized current is created by passing a current though a thin magnetic layer. This current is then directed into a thinner magnetic layer which transfers the angular momentum to the thin layer which changes its spin.

What is perpendicular STT-MRAM?

A "regular" STT-MRAM structure (similar to the one you see above) uses an in-plane MTJ (iMTJ). Some STT-MRAM devices use a more optimized structure called perpendicular MTJ (pMTJ) in which the magnetic moments are perpendicular to the silicon substrate surface.

Perpendicular STT-MRAM is more scalable compared to iMTJ STT-MRAM and is also more cost competitive. Perpendicular STT-MRAM is thus a more promising technology to replace DRAM and other memory technologies

STT-MRAM chips

Several companies, including IBM and Samsung, Everspin, Avalanche Technologies, Spin Transfer Technologies and Crocus are developing STT-MRAM chips. In April 2016 Everspin announced that it started shipping 256Mb ST-MRAM samples to customers. The new chips demonstrate interface speeds comparable to DRAM, with DDR3 and DDR4 interfaces. Volume production is expected "soon".

In August 2016 Everspin started sampling pMTJ-based ST-MRAM chips. The first chips are also 256Mb in size, but the pMTJ versions offer improved performance, higher endurance, lower power, and better scalability compared to previous iMTJ ST-MRAM products. Everspin is now ramping out 256Mb pMTJ ST-MRAM production and is developing a scaled-down 1Gb version.

 

 

Latest STT-MRAM news

Everspin reports its Q4 2023 earning results

Everspin Technologies reported its financial results for Q4 2023, with revenues of $16.7 million and a net income of $2 million. Product sales were a bit slower than last year, but licensing and royalties were higher at $4.3 million (up from $1.1 million in 2022).

 

Everspin chip render

For the full year 2023, Everspin achieved record revenues of $63.8 million (up 6% from 2022), and net income of $9.1 million. At the end of the year Everspin had a cash balance of $36.9 million.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 01,2024

Renesas developed new STT-MRAM circuit technology, achieves the world's fastest random access speed

Renesas Electronics announced that it has developed circuit technologies for embedded STT-MRAM that reduces the energy and voltage of the memory write operation. 

Renesas produced a 22-nm MCU test chip, that includes a 10.8 Mbit embedded MRAM memory cell array. It achieves a random read access frequency of over 200 MHz and a write throughput of 10.4-megabytes-per-second (MB/s).

Read the full story Posted: Feb 24,2024

Netsol Unveils First Standalone MRAM Using 28nm Process, Shares the Outlook for Standalone MRAM at 2023 MRAM Forum

At the 2023 MRAM Forum, a key event by the IEEE Magnetics Society tied to the IEDM conference, Mr. Noh, Chief Technology Officer at Netsol, provided an overview of the company's advancements in MRAM technology.

Mr. Noh introduced Netsol's development of its first standalone MRAM, created using 28nm eMRAM technology from Samsung Foundry. He presented the technical characteristics of the product, focusing on its data retention, endurance,  resistance to magnetic interference and quality, which have been validated through extensive testing.

Read the full story Posted: Jan 10,2024

RAiTEK adopts Avalanche's space-grade MRAM for its satellite-based storage systems

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced that it is providing its Space Grade Persistent SRAM (P-SRAM) STT-MRAM products for satellite-based storage systems developed by RAiTEK. 

Avalanche Technology MRAM chips render

RAiTEK has designed in a 16Mb device from Avalanche's Gen 2 Space Grade family to monitor data stream status, and a 1Gb Gen 3 Space Grade to support large configuration images for the onboard FPGA used in the drives, as part of their growing portfolio of data storage and processing solutions for the space industry.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 12,2023

NETSOL launches a stand-alone STT-MRAM product fabricated in Samsung Foundry’s 28nm FDSOI process

NETSOL released new 1Mb to 32Mb serial and 1Mb to 64Mb parallel STT-MRAM products through the Samsung Electronics Foundry.

NETSOL MRAM products are ideal for applications that need to store and retrieve data quickly and frequently due to STT-MRAM's virtually unlimited endurance and fast-write features. Ideal for code storage, data logging, backup and working memory in industrial devices/ equipment, it can replace NOR Flash, FeRAM, low-power SRAM and nvSRAM products, among others with unmatched performance and non-volatile features.

NETSOL STT-MRAM products provide fast read and write features without a delay in recording and storing data even when the system is powered off, and is cost-effective by enabling compact systems without the need for batteries or capacitors based on its non-volatile features.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 30,2023

Everspin Technologies reported its financial results for Q2 2023

Everspin Technologies its financial results for Q2 2023 - with revenues of $15.7 (up 7% compared to 2022), a net income of $3.9 million, and positive cash flow of $3.9 million (which includes a tax credit refund of $2 million). At the end of the quarter, cash and cash equivalents were $30.8 million

Everspin chip render

The company says that its product backlog into 2024 continues to be high, but the company is experiencing some headwinds from the semiconductor downturn.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 03,2023

Avalanche announces pre-production of its Gen-3 Space Grade Dual QSPI STT-MRAM solution for advanced SoCs and FPGAs

pMTJ STT-MRAM developer Avalanche Technology announced that its Gen-3 Space Grade Dual QSPI solution is now available in pre-production.

The devices are based on the company's latest generation STT-MRAM technology. Avalanche says that the new devices offer significant density, endurance, reliability, and power benefits, over existing memory solutions for aerospace and defense applications, particularly for easily configuring advanced SoCs and FPGAs, which are known to present complex design challenges.

Read the full story Posted: Jan 10,2023

Hprobe releases a new MRAM testing module to help increase production yields

Hprobe, a developer of testing equipment for magnetic devices, announced a new addition to its product line, the RF Pulse Module. The company says that this is the commercially available testing system to both collect statistics of error rate of the memory unit cell and take a deep look into switching dynamics of resistive memories.

Hprobe IBEX WAT H3DM Light photo

Hprobe's IBEX system

Hprobe says that the RF Pulse Module is two orders of magnitude faster than existing devices and can help increase manufacturing yields. Hprobe has already begun shipping to tier-1 companies and major research institutes around the world.

Read the full story Posted: Dec 03,2022

Everspin to build a new MRAM production line in Indiana, hopes to secuire government support

Earlier this year, Everspin Technologies announced that it aims to build a new production line in the state of Indiana, US, that will increase Everspin's production capacity for both Toggle MRAM and STT-MRAM. The company is working with state and federal government sources to secure funding for the new production line.

Everspin chip render

Everspin says it also plans to work with the local research community to enhance domestic research for MRAM technology development, creating a Technology Development Center at the proposed Indiana-based location. Everspin says that it is the only US-based commercial manufacturer of MRAM devices today, and increasing its capacity in the US is of strategic importance to its commercial and US Government partners.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 22,2022