Could Weebit Nano’s ReRAM be Flash memory’s successor?

Weebit Nano has bold plans to take its ReRAM tech further to market, at scale
ReRAM offers faster, secure memory for next-gen devices, claims the company
It also notes demand for ReRAM in automotive, AI, and IoT is growing

Special Report: ASX-listed Weebit Nano has ambitious plans for its Resistive RAM (ReRAM) technology, which it believes is poised to usurp Flash memory.

The company is tapping into a growing need for alternatives to traditional Flash memory, which, despite its long-standing dominance, is beginning to show significant limitations.

As the demand for faster, more efficient, and scalable memory solutions increases across industries, Weebit Nano’s ReRAM technology could potentially offer a promising solution.

But what makes ReRAM stand out, and how might it shape the future of memory chips?

Flash memory’s limits

For years, Flash memory has been the backbone of data storage in electronics, from smartphones to cars.

However, as devices shrink and the need for faster processing grows, Flash is increasingly struggling to meet the demands of next-generation applications.

Its inability to scale below 28nm and concerns about power consumption and performance are becoming significant challenges.

This is where ReRAM is poised to offer a potential breakthrough, according to Weebit Nano.

As an advanced semiconductor technology, Weebit has been developing its ReRAM for many years, and it is now transitioning to commercial use.

Weebit said it is currently gaining traction for its ability to address many of Flash’s limitations.

“ReRAM can scale to the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes where Flash isn’t a viable option. It also has much lower power consumption and is more easily integrated,” explained Weebit Nano’s CEO, Coby Hanoch.

“ReRAM is also a much more secure solution compared to other non-volatile memories. It is less vulnerable to common hacking tactics, such as electron beams or magnetic interference. It’s a natural fit for sectors where security is paramount, like automotive and IoT.”

Why ReRAM is a compelling alternative

According to Weebit Nano, ReRAM’s key advantage lies in its architecture.

Unlike Flash, which is integrated at the front-end-of-line (FEOL) level of manufacturing and can complicate monolithic designs, ReRAM is integrated at the back-end-of-line (BEOL) level.

This allows it to integrate easily into chip designs without interfering with power or analog components – the result being cost savings and greater efficiency, noted the company.

“ReRAM’s low power consumption is a game-changer for emerging applications like edge AI,” said Hanoch.

“It can hold AI weights for artificial neural networks, reducing the need for external memory and cutting down on power usage.

“This is crucial for devices that require both intelligence and efficiency, like wearables and autonomous systems.”

Security advantages of ReRAM

Weebit also emphasised that ReRAM offers enhanced security features.

Flash memory relies on charge storage to represent data, making it vulnerable to external attacks, such electron beam probing.

The company explained that ReRAM, however, stores data by building and breaking a resistor, making it more resistant to these threats, and a more secure option for applications such as smart cards, secure authentication systems and other security-sensitive devices.

Because ReRAM is embedded between metal layers, it is more resistant to tampering and harder to alter through external means, added the company.

“Security is becoming a major differentiator for embedded memory solutions, and ReRAM is ahead of the curve in this regard,” asserted Hanoch.

“Its resistance to magnetic attacks, optical tampering, and even power analysis hacking makes it an ideal choice for high-security applications.

“ReRAM’s unique architecture allows us to integrate these security features without compromising on performance or cost.”

Also read: Weebit Nano positions itself in US$1 trillion market, investors encouraged to be patient

Big potential markets for ReRAM

As the number of connected devices is expected to more than double by 2029, the need for energy-efficient, high-density memory solutions is growing rapidly.

For Weebit Nano, this means embedding ReRAM directly into microcontroller units (MCUs) and systems on chips (SoCs), providing a more compact, cost-effective solution compared to using separate memory components.

This could be especially beneficial for industries like IoT, edge AI, and automotive technology, which increasingly demand smaller, more efficient memory solutions.

The automotive sector indeed presents significant opportunities for ReRAM, said Weebit.

Embedded Flash memory can’t scale to the advanced processes used by many of today’s automotive designs.

ReRAM, on the other hand, is designed to scale to more advanced nodes, making it a compelling option for automotive microcontroller units (MCUs).

Weebit Nano noted it has begun to attract interest from automotive chipmakers, some of which are incorporating ReRAM into next-generation vehicles.

ReRAM could also play a key role in neuromorphic computing, a field that mimics the brain’s way of processing information.

Though still in its early stages, Weebit Nano said it is positioning itself to be a significant player in this space.

“Weebit ReRAM is a promising solution for neuromorphic computing, where it can be used both as a storage element and computing element. We have partnered with several research institutes who are using our ReRAM in their neuromorphic research projects,” said Hanoch.

Meanwhile, to make all this happen, Weebit Nano is continuing to actively advance the technology, having recently raised $50 million to accelerate development.

The objective is that this funding, along with strategic partnerships with foundries and semiconductor companies, will help scale the technology and bring ReRAM solutions to market at scale.

This article was developed in collaboration with Weebit Nano, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.