Samsung Buys Grandis, Gets STT-RAM Technology

With how things have been getting difficult in the memory industry, one would expect some of those involved to contemplate retirement, but it looks like at least some companies, in this case Samsung, are still looking for opportunities to expand.

Those following the happenings on the IT market may or may not know of how demand on the DRAM segment has been abysmally low for the past three quarters.

In fact, inventories have piled up substantially and, with prices so low, PC makers have, one might say, raised the standard RAM amount on a PC from 2 GB to 4 GB.

As such, most companies involved, especially manufacturers of DRAM chips, are trying to exhaust their current supply.

Not much success has been had, but this does not seem to have stopped Samsung from sealing a deal that will further extend its technological portfolio.

More specifically, the company issued a short press release in which it outlines a deal it entered with Grandis Inc., based in Silicon Valley, California.

Grandis is known for its spin transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) and, since it is now set to be merged with Samsung, this technology will add to the latter's already extensive patent portfolio.

Moving forward, Grandis is likely to end up in a significant position in the global R&D network that Samsung commands, though no specifics are known.

In fact, while the agreement has been well enough reached, Samsung did not disclose any financial information on it, so it is unknown just what sum will exchange hands once the deal is sealed and approved by the necessary legal channels.

Most likely the high-end segment will benefit most from this move, as the main focus of Grandis will be to review semiconductor materials and structures for long-term commercial value.

What remains is to see how fast Samsung integrates the new assets into its own and, once that is done, what products it puts together.