Synopsys, Ovonyx develop simulation model for PCM

Synopsys Inc. and Ovonyx Inc. have teamed up to develop of device simulation models for phase change memory (PCM) based on Ovonyx's PCM technology.

DRAM and flash memories are the two largest segments of the semiconductor memory market and are fundamental components in consumer and industrial electronic devices such as computers, cellular phones, MP3 players and digital cameras. PCM is widely considered to be a practical alternative to flash and DRAM devices, both of which will encounter increasing scaling challenges in the face of shrinking device geometries. With this collaboration, Ovonyx provides Synopsys with material and device characterization data for Synopsys to develop and calibrate Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) models for PCM device simulation.

"Ovonyx's PCM technology offers the benefit of increased performance and relative ease of scaling to future smaller memory device nodes," said Howard Ko, senior VP and general manager of the silicon engineering group at Synopsys. "This collaboration can increase the effectiveness of Synopsys' Sentaurus TCAD tools for modeling emerging technologies such as PCM, so that chipmakers can have a cost-effective alternative for continued scaling of semiconductor devices."

"We believe this collaboration with Synopsys to develop and enhance simulation capabilities for PCM will assist the commercialization efforts of PCM products by worldwide chipmakers," said Tyler Lowrey, president and CEO of Ovonyx.