News Briefs - Storage:

SST, Powerchip Semiconductor To Advance Superflash Tech

SST announced that it and Powerchip Semiconductor Corp (PSC), Taiwan's leading DRAM manufacturer, have teamed up to develop its third-generation SuperFlash memory technology. The new self-aligned, third-generation SuperFlash cell currently under development at PSC is based on a leading edge 0.11um process technology. Once established, the parties plan to scale it down to 90 and 65 nanometer (nm) nodes. SST's new generation SuperFlash is capable of delivering very high density memory products based on its well-established NOR architecture, making it ideal for data storage applications that traditionally have been addressed by flash memories with NAND architectures. The first product under development is a 2Gb flash media with pin-outs and electrical specifications compatible with industry-standard NAND products. SST and PSC recently have verified the new-generation SuperFlash memory cell structure and electrical data. The parties plan to complete the technology development during 2004 in order for volume production of a 2Gb product in 2005.

Under terms of the agreement, both companies agree to utilize PSC's 300mm manufacturing facilities to produce SST-brand products and PSC-brand licensed data storage products. SST will collect royalty from PSC based on the sales of the PSC-brand SuperFlash products.

SST's SuperFlash is a leading flash memory technology with proven track record in the industry. Besides making its own products based on SuperFlash, SST also license the SuperFlash technology to world-class semiconductor companies, including IBM, Motorola, NEC, Samsung, Toshiba and TSMC. As of today, SST and its licensees have shipped more than 2.5 billion units of SuperFlash-based products since 1993. The first-generation SuperFlash, introduced in 1993, has been in volume production covering memory densities from 256K to 16Mb. The second-generation SuperFlash, started production earlier this year, is intended to cover memory densities up to 256Mb. The third-generation SuperFlash, under development since 2002, is expected to cover memory densities from 256Mb to 16Gb. SST believes its SuperFlash is the most versatile flash memory technology for embedded, code storage and data storage applications.

"Our third-generation SuperFlash technology is a critical element in enabling NOR flash memory to achieve the densities and speeds required to effectively compete in the data storage and other high-density markets typically dominated by NAND flash memories," said Bing Yeh, president and CEO of SST. "Through our development partnership with PSC, we believe we will be able to extend our cost-effective, scalable technology to deep sub-micron levels and deliver the density and performance our customers will need for the next wave of consumer and communication products. We believe the flash data storage market will become a bigger market than DRAM. By teaming up with PSC and exploiting our third-generation SuperFlash technology, we are committed to become a major player in the high density data storage market."

"PSC is now the largest DRAM producer in Taiwan. And at our rate of growth, we expect to be ranked in the top four worldwide soon. With our volume proven advanced 300mm fab and our growing world-class foundry service arm, our semiconductor production expertise is second to none," said Dr. Frank Huang, chairman of PSC. "Being in the memory industry, we have always kept an eye on the development of flash technologies. Our relationship with SST was naturally established to exploit our companies' synergies: SST's advanced Flash technology and PSC's cost efficient production and distribution capabilities. At PSC, we are dedicated to the expansion of our product offering and SuperFlash will allow us to address new high end data flash markets."

Dr. Brian Shieh, president of PSC, said, "Given our proven track record in bringing advanced memory process technologies to mass production, we are confident in our ability to support the development partnership effort and mass production of SST's industry-leading SuperFlash technology for the data storage market."