The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (President: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) [hereinafter referred to as “AIST”] and Seiko Instruments Inc. (President, COO & CFO: Yukihiko Chayama) [hereinafter referred to as “SII”] have signed a license agreement for mutually owned split-gate flash memory with Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (President and COO: Yukinori Kuwano).
Flash memory that can be electronically erased and written repeatedly, is broadly used in the memory of devices such as PCs, digital cameras and home video game machines. Split-gate type flash memory is equipped with a structure that eliminates concern for over-erase errors that occur during data erasing, making simplification of peripheral circuitry possible.
The patents subject to the license agreement are those related to split-gate flash memory which are capable of widely expanding the read area of written data by source injection (source-side injection). Source injection, in comparison with conventional channel injection from the drain side (drain-side injection), refers to technology that reduces electrical current to a different order of magnitude during write operation, ensuring read operation integrity and the capability to make channel length miniaturization. In addition, due to the ease of CMOS logic IC manufacturing process and flash memory manufacturing process integration, the technology is best suited for mixed installation with CMOS logic IC.
By using this patented technology, the degree of freedom in flash memory design can be greatly increased, leading to a stronger competitive edge in the new technology marketplace.
This technology is capable of high-speed programming, and is thus ideal for flash memory that is built in a microcomputer. Wide use of the technology in the flash memory employed in devices such as PCs and cell phones is expected, rendering the technology important in the future as well. AIST and SII hold many formidable Japanese and overseas patents related to flash memory technology. To ensure wide use of such proprietary achievements, the release of such patented information is actively in progress.
Contact Information
Seiko Instruments Inc.
Corporate Communications Dept.
Arai
Fax:+81-43-211-8011
E-mail:pr@sii.co.jp