Weebit Nano and CEA-Leti Extend Partnership

Weebit Nano Limited, a developer of next-gen memory technology for semiconductor industry, and its development partner CEA-Leti, the French research institute recognised in the field of micro-electronics, have extended their partnership to incorporate additional activities across 3 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 team is focused on 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 attractive to potential customers and partners.

In parallel, the two partners 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 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 finalize a commercial agreement by the same time, though steps are being taken to minimise this likelihood.

Weebit’s ReRAM memory module will 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, 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 gen 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, 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.“