Menta and LIRMM launch manufacturing of world’s first MRAM-based FPGA

MONTPELLIER, FRANCE: Menta SAS and LIRMM, an embedded programmable logic provider of embedded-FPGA Intellectual Property (IP) and a joint CNRS and University of Montpellier 2 research laboratory, confirmed the tape out of world’s first MRAM-based FPGA. The MRAM-based FPGA leverages key innovations including non-volatile magnetic memory and patent-protected circuitry enabling compact integration of MRAM and embedded-FPGA solutions.

Based on Menta’s eFPGA Core programmable logic architecture and on CEA-LETI and CROCUS magnetic technology, this first member of a family of MRAM-based FPGAs,is manufactured in CMOS 130 nm with magnetic junction in 120 nm and provides capacity of 1,444 LUT4, equivalent to approximatively 20K logic gates.

Developed in joint collaboration with Microelectronic department of LIRMM (Laboratory of Informatics, Robotics and Microelectronics of Montpellier) in the frame of SPIN, the large scale initiative for Spintronics devices supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR), this tapeout validates the possibility to stack MRAM technology over traditional CMOS logic and introduces to the market a new type of robust non-volatile FPGA. Market potential of MRAM-based FPGA is being validated for defense, aerospace, automotive and consumer applications.

“This world first MRAM-based FPGA demonstrates the versatility of our eFPGA Core technology”, stated Laurent Rougé, Menta founder and CEO. “Taping out this first MRAM-based FPGA device confirms our intent to build a product strategy that leverages and complements our IP business. One of the key benefits of developing an FPGA with MRAM technology, is that is enables high-density non-volatile FPGA based on leading edge CMOS technology nodes, unlike traditional Flash-based approaches only available on mature CMOS processes.”

Pr Lionel Torres, in charge of the MRAM design project at LIRMM, claims that “MRAM-based FPGA proposes better versatility with partial or dynamic re-configurability capabilities, instant on/off total or partial energy saving”.