View source for MoSys

{{Short description|Defunct American semiconductor company}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name=MoSys, Inc.
| logo=MoSys logo.svg
| former_name=Monolithic System Technology (1991–2006)
| type=Public
| founded={{start date and age|1991|09|16}} in [[San Jose, California]]
| defunct={{end date and age|2021|12|20}}
| fate=Merger with Peraso Technologies
| industry=Semiconductor
| products={{ubl|[[Multibank DRAM]]|[[1T-SRAM]]}}
| founder=Fu-Chieh Hsu
| website={{url|https://www.mosys.com}}
}}
'''MoSys, Inc.''', originally '''Monolithic System Technology''' ('''MoST'''), was a [[Fabless manufacturing|fabless semiconductor design]] company founded in 1991. The company primarily designed [[Semiconductor memory|memory chips]] and were especially known for their [[Multibank DRAM]] and [[1T-SRAM]] technologies—the latter used on [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii]] and [[GameCube]] video game consoles.
==History==
MoSys was incorporated in San Jose, California, on September 16, 1991, as Monolithic System Technology.{{sfnm|1a1=Bailey|1a2=Werner|1y=2007|1p=40|2a1=Staff writer|2y=1994|2p=95}} The company was co-founded by Fu-Chieh Hsu, who also served as its chairman and president until December 2004.{{sfn|LaPedus|2004}} Joined by Fu-Chieh were Wingyu Leung and Gary Banta, both [[Vice president (corporate title)|vice president]]s of design engineering. The initial design team staffed engineers poached from [[Integrated Device Technology]], [[Integrated Silicon Solution Inc.|ISSI]], [[Rambus]], and Plus Logic. By 1994, the company had received $7.5&nbsp;million in venture funding.{{sfn|Staff writer|1994|p=95}}
[[File:MoSys MD908.png|thumb|MoSys [[MDRAM]] MD908]]
The company's first major product was a specialized type of [[dynamic random-access memory]] that Monolithic termed [[Multibank DRAM]] (MDRAM).{{sfn|Staff writer|1994|p=95}} The initial entry in this series of chips was a 4-Mb chip, composed of 16 cells of [[16-bit]]-wide 16-kB memory; a simple interface on each of the cells connects them to a high-speed bus on the chip. On each [[Signal edge|leading edge and trailing edge]] of the chip-enable pulse, memory arrays output data onto the internal bus, achieving a 32-bit word on every pulse.{{sfn|McLeod|1994|p=5}} MDRAM secured design wins in July 1994 with [[Tseng Labs]], [[Trident Microsystems]], and [[S3 Inc.]] using the chips in their [[graphics accelerator card]]s. [[Access time]] was rated at 15&nbsp;[[Nanosecond|ns]], compared to 60&nbsp;ns of contemporary chips.{{sfn|Crothers|1994|p=32}} MDRAM required a proprietary interface and could not be adapted to the [[SIMM]] card standard for [[desktop computer]] memory of its day.{{sfn|Staff writer|1994|p=95}} Volume production, handled by an outside fabricator, was achieved in late 1994.{{sfn|Schroeder|1994|p=40}}
[[File:1T-SRAM.JPG|thumb|MoSys 1T-SRAM chip]]
In July 1998, Monolithic introduced a series of [[Static random-access memory|pipelined-burst static RAM]] chips for the [[laptop|notebook computer]] market.{{sfn|Ascierto|1999|p=16}} In September 1998 they introduced [[1T-SRAM]], a [[PSRAM|pseudo-static random-access memory]] technology. Unlike true static RAM, 1T-SRAM is essentially dynamic RAM, which requires each [[Memory cell (computing)|memory cell]] to be [[Memory refresh|refreshed constantly]]. However, 1T-SRAM pairs each bank of cells with true SRAM [[Cache (computing)|cache]] of the same capacity; when more than one read/write operation occurs within a bank, the on-chip memory controller redirects access to the cache, allowing the cells within the bank to be refreshed. All banks not involved in a given transaction are meanwhile refreshed in the background. This effectively achieves SRAM-like performance, without the need for [[wait state]]s for every recharge cycle.{{sfn|Glaskowsky|1999|p=1}} The ''1T'' in ''1T-SRAM'' stands for 1 transistor; in dynamic RAM, typically only one [[MOSFET|transistor]]–capacitor pair is needed to build one memory cell, while static RAM commonly requires six transistors.{{sfnm|1a1=Jacob|1a2=Spencer|1a3=Wang|1y=2008|1p=330|2a1=Shimpi|2y=2001}} The academics Bruce Jacob, Spencer W. Ng, David T. Wang, writing in the book ''Memory Systems'' (2008), called the name a misnomer: "[1-transistor static RAM] is not really possible, but it makes for a catchy name".{{sfn|Jacob|Spencer|Wang|2008|p=330}}
In 1999, [[Nintendo]] signed a contract with MoSys to use 1T-SRAM in its codenamed Dolphin video game console,{{sfn|Clarke|Hara|1999}} later unveiled as the [[GameCube]] in 2001. Over 25 million units of 1T-SRAM were produced up to October 2002.{{sfn|Staff writer|2002}} A newer version of 1T-SRAM, dubbed 1T-SRAM Classic, was patented and introduced in 2006.{{sfn|Bailey|Werner|2007|p=41}} Nintendo re-entered a contract with Monolithic to use it in the [[Wii]], in 2006.{{sfn|Block|2006}}
The company began narrowing its chip sales in 1998, in favor of licensing its patents to other semiconductor memory companies.{{sfn|Hennessey|2001|p=C14}} In September 2000, Monolithic's board members voted to reincorporate the company in [[Delaware]].{{sfn|Bailey|Werner|2007|p=40}} The company still operated within California, relocating its research office to nearby [[Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale]] by June 2001. The same month, the company filed its [[initial public offering]], mediated through [[A. G. Edwards]].{{sfn|Staff writer|2001|p=6}} The company's stock rose 12 percent within the first day of its launch,{{sfn|Hennessey|2001|p=C14}} leading to a net proceed of $51&nbsp;million for Monolithic.{{sfn|Bailey|Werner|2007|p=40}} ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' saw this as a rekindling of interest in technology companies in the stock market, which had fallen in the twilight of the [[dot-com bubble]].{{sfn|Hennessey|2001|p=C14}}
In February 2004, [[Synopsys]] announced that it would acquire Monolithic for [[US$]]432&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Bloomberg L.P.|2004|p=10}} However, a month later, Synopsys terminated their agreement to buy out Monolithic and paid the company a $10&nbsp;million termination fee as part of the merger contract.{{sfn|Bailey|Werner|2007|pp=40–41}} This came after Synopsys had switched the terms of their acquisition, proposing to Monolithic a $13.50-per-share all-cash offer, incurring a very high premium. Monolithic followed with a lawsuit in Delaware courts seeking to force Synopsys to finish their acquisition. Monolithic dropped the suit in July 2004 without payment or liability. In late December 2004, following ill-health and a tough year for the company, chairman Fu-Chieh resigned from Monolithic, with [[chief financial officer]] Mark Voll taking the mantle.{{sfn|LaPedus|2004}}
Monolithic had, by the end of 2005, 76 full-time employees—25 executives in Delaware and 51 engineers in the company's research and development lab in Sunnyvale. In May 2006, the company formally renamed themselves to MoSys.{{sfn|Bailey|Werner|2007|p=41}}
By the late 2010s MoSys had pivoted to designing chips for security, [[telecommunications]], and [[datacenter]]s. In December 2021, they merged with Peraso Technologies, a designer of [[mmWave]] semiconductor, to emerge as Peraso Inc.{{sfn|Accesswire|2021}}
==Citations==
{{reflist|colwidth=20em}}
==References==
{{refbegin|colwidth=30em|indent=yes}}
* {{cite web | last=Accesswire | date=December 20, 2021 | url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mosys-peraso-technologies-close-business-123000782.html | title=MoSys and Peraso Technologies Close Business Combination | work=Yahoo! News | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018083438/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mosys-peraso-technologies-close-business-123000782.html | archivedate=October 18, 2022}}
* {{cite journal | last=Ascierto | first=Jerry | date=April 19, 1999 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A54436362/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=MoSys Aims SRAMs at Low End | journal=Electronic News | publisher=Sage Publications | volume=45 | issue=16 | page=16 | via=Gale}}
* {{cite book | last=Bailey | first=Brian | author2=Kathy Werner | date=2007 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KpjKtsckb0MC | title=Intellectual Property for Electronic Systems: An Essential Introduction | publisher=Professional Education International | isbn=9781931695572 | via=Google Books | ref={{sfnRef|Bailey|Werner|2007}} }}
* {{cite web | last=Block | first=Gerry | date=June 19, 2006 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/15/25-million-1t-sram-units-produced | title=NEC and MoSys Announce Wii Hardware Partnerships | work=IGN | publisher=Red Ventures | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508195100/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/06/19/nec-and-mosys-announce-wii-hardware-partnerships | archivedate=May 8, 2022}}
* {{cite journal | last=Bloomberg L.P. | date=February 24, 2004 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/24/business/technology-synopsys-acquisitions.html | title=Synopsys Acquisitions | journal=The New York Times | page=10 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821002507/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/24/business/technology-synopsys-acquisitions.html | archivedate=August 21, 2020}}
* {{cite journal | last=Clarke | first=Peter | author2=Yoshiko Hara | date=September 3, 1999 | url=https://www.eetimes.com/nintendo-to-use-mosys-1-transistor-sram/ | title=Nintendo to use Mosys' 1-transistor SRAM | journal=Electrical Engineering Times | publisher=AspenCore | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20221018080312/https://www.eetimes.com/nintendo-to-use-mosys-1-transistor-sram/ | archivedate=October 18, 2022 | ref={{sfnRef|Clarke|Hara|1999}} }}
* {{cite journal | last=Crothers | first=Brooke | date=July 18, 1994 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kTgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32 | title=DRAM chip for video announced | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=16 | issue=29 | page=32 | via=Google Books}}
* {{cite journal |title=MoSys Explains 1T-SRAM Technology: Unique Architecture Hides Refresh, Makes DRAM Work Like SRAM |first=Peter N. |last=Glaskowsky |journal=Microprocessor Report |volume=13 |number=12 |pages=23–24 |date=September 13, 1999 |url=http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~david/courses/cs838/reader/mpr01.pdf |publisher=Cahners |agency=Reprint}}
* {{cite journal | last=Hennessey | first=Raymond | date=June 29, 2001 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/398749299/ | title=Technology Firm's IPO Rises 12% | journal=The Wall Street Journal | publisher=Dow Jones & Company | page=C14 | via=ProQuest}}
* {{cite book | last1=Jacob | first1=Bruce | author2=Spencer W. Ng | author3=David T. Wang | ref={{sfnRef|Jacob|Spencer|Wang|2008}} | date=2008 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G-D6KFwnVsgC&dq=%221T-SRAM%22&pg=PA330 | title=Memory Systems: Cache, DRAM, Disk | publisher=Elsevier Science | isbn=9780123797513 | via=Google Books}}
* {{cite journal | last=LaPedus | first=Mark | date=December 31, 2004 | url=https://www.eetimes.com/mosys-chairman-ceo-resigns-cites-health-problems/ | title=MoSys' chairman, CEO resigns, cites health problems | journal=Electrical Engineering Times | publisher=AspenCore | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20221018065115/https://www.eetimes.com/mosys-chairman-ceo-resigns-cites-health-problems/ | archivedate=October 18, 2022}}
* {{cite journal | last=McLeod | first=Jonah | date=July 25, 1994 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A16058439/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Start-up company challenges 3-D graphics DRAM market | journal=Electronics | publisher=Endeavor Business Media | volume=67 | issue=14 | page=5 | via=Gale}}
* {{cite journal | last=Schroeder | first=Eric | date=July 25, 1994 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A16156048/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Startup Pushes New Architecture to Boost Memory | journal=PC Week | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=11 | issue=29 | page=40 | via=Gale}}
* {{cite web | last=Shimpi | first=Anand Lal | date=December 7, 2001 | url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/858/4 | title=Hardware Behind the Consoles&nbsp;– Part II: Nintendo's GameCube | work=AnandTech | publisher=Future Publishing}}
* {{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=July 18, 1994 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A16180014/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=IDT-backed MoSys to bare multibank DRAM scheme | journal=Electronic News | publisher=Sage Publications | volume=40 | issue=2023 | pages=95 | via=Gale}}
* {{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=June 25, 2001 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/431768404/ | title=Equity Offerings Planned This Week | journal=The New York Times | page=6 | via=ProQuest}}
* {{cite web | last=Staff writer | date=October 15, 2002 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/15/25-million-1t-sram-units-produced | title=25 Million 1T-SRAM Units Produced | work=IGN | publisher=Red Ventures | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421212609/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/15/25-million-1t-sram-units-produced | archivedate=April 21, 2022}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
{{commons cat|MoSys, Inc.}}
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981205230711/mosys.com|title=Official website|date=December 5, 1998}}
[[Category:1991 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2021 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:2001 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1991]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2021]]
[[Category:Computer companies established in 1991]]
[[Category:Computer companies disestablished in 2021]]
[[Category:Defunct computer companies based in California]]
[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct semiconductor companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Computer memory companies]]
[[Category:Fabless semiconductor companies]]
[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1991]]
[[Category:Electronics companies disestablished in 2021]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in San Jose, California]]
[[Category:Semiconductor companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Technology companies established in 1991]]
[[Category:Technology companies disestablished in 2021]]