Micron Technology has decided to outsource mobile RAM production to Inotera Memories, its DRAM-manufacturing joint venture with Nanya Technology. Inotera is set to volume produce 2Gb chips, built using Micron's 50nm stack process technology, in the first quarter of 2011.
Differing from Nanya's low-density offering, Inotera will produce mobile RAM chips in densities ranging from 2Gb onward. Inotera's entry into the mobile RAM segment is expected to help diversify the company's operations, and reduce its dependence on commodity DRAM for PCs.
Nanya began producing 256Mb and 512Mb mobile RAM chips using a 50nm process in the third quarter. The company expects its mobile RAM business to account for 10-20% of its total revenues in 2011.
Other newcomers in the market for mobile RAM also include ProMOS Technologies. The company has revealed plans to allocate half of its capacity to mobile RAM and specialty DRAM (SDRAM) chips starting in 2011, using technology licensed from Elpida Memory.