ECD Ovonics has invented a basic phase-change solid-state storage technology, which is now being developed by our joint venture, Ovonyx, Inc., to form the basis of a proprietary family of high-performance nonvolatile semiconductor memory and information process devices. Ovonic Universal Memory (a.k.a. Ovonic Unified Memory ) (OUM™)* promises to provide nonvolatile computer data storage with the speed of current volatile DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) memory at a lower production cost. OUM™ also offers an opportunity to develop new, fast computer architectures through the elimination of the use of multiple tiers of system memory. By removing the distinction between FLASH, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), and DRAM — which are used in today's personal computers — designers will be able to simplify and speed up the memory process.

The first application of OUM™ is expected to be in the rapidly growing FLASH memory market. FLASH memory is used in portable electronic devices such as personal music storage, digital cameras, cellular telephones, pagers, and laptop computers as the all-solid-state, low-power replacements for magnetic hard disk storage. Another potential application of Ovonic™ memory and the Ovonic™ Threshold Switch is expected to be in practical, highly complex, three-dimensional neural network systems for use in advanced artificial intelligence and speech- and image-pattern recognition. Because OUM™ memory can provide the capability to store more than one bit of information per memory cell, it can enable the fabrication of semiconductor memory with high storage density. Another possible application is the use of OUM™ in electronic cash and smart card systems that require information to be stored in an encrypted, secure, and tamperproof manner.

Because of the nature of the fabrication process it is easy for OUM to be used as embedded memory in CMOS-based microprocessors. Another exciting possibility is the use of OUM™ in logic chips. This development would enable manufacture of chips that could be reprogrammed for many different applications in the field. In fact, the chips could be made to completely change function on demand, resulting in significant value-add to products as diverse as video games and automobiles. The promise that OUM™ will be easily added to current CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) processes is an outstanding virtue of the technology.

Ovonyx has established joint development programs with licensees Intel, STMicroelectronics, Elpida and BAE Systems. Several other organizations around the world are engaged in the development of the OUM devices. More information on Ovonyx and the OUM can be found at Ovonyx.com.

*OUM is a trademark of Ovonyx, Inc.