Flash memory developer Anobit Ltd. has signed a collaboration agreement with South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (KSX: 5530). Samsung's new SK6630 controller will incorporates Anobit’s advanced Memory Signal Processing technology to provide high endurance and performance for Samsung’s 3-bit NAND for use in secure digital memory cards.
Last week, South Korea's Hynix Semiconductor Inc. (KRX: 00660) announced it had developed NAND flash solution products which combine Hynix’s 30-nanometer class 32-Gigabit flash chips and controller devices from Anobit, through a strategic alliance between the two companies. The new processors will be validated in September 2010.
Anobit did not disclose the value of either of these collaborations, but it presumably amounts to millions of dollars a year.
The Samsung deal is rather interesting, as their had been speculation that Samsung was interested in the technology of Israeli flash memory developer Saifun Semiconductors, which was acquired by Spansion Inc. (PinkSheets: SPSNQ), for next-generation flash memory processors, after NAND technology ceased being effective because of the decline in memory quality at resolutions of less than 50 nanometers.
Samsung has meanwhile obtained access to SanDisk Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK) multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory technology through its Israeli subsidiary msystems. There was speculation that an acquisition of Anobit or one of its peers would help Samsung obtain the flash memory technology it needs.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 17, 2010
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010