UMC fabs Sonos memory IC

United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) has made a new type of memory on a foundry basis for Solid State System Co.

Solid State System, a fabless IC design house in Taiwan, has devised the so-called Sonos memory technology. This new memory adopts advanced Sonos dielectric storage technology, effectively enhancing program speed as compared to conventional Sonos cells, according to UMC.

UMC's experience in Sonos-based, thin-film development allowed it deliver the 0.18-micron memory cell during its first cut, followed by completion of the pilot run for the 256Mb memory product.

Sonos technology has been gaining interest in recent years because of its small cell size, lower voltage operation, and simple manufacturability, compared to conventional types of flash technology such as NAND.

- Mark LaPedus
EE Times