CAGE Codes:
Operating Segments: Compute and Networking, Mobile, Storage
HQ: Boise, Idaho
About Micron Technology Inc.
Micron Technology was founded in 1978 by Ward and Joe Parkinson, Dennis Wilson, and Doug Pitman in Boise Idaho. Its initial business platform focused on semiconductor design and consulting, with the transition to manufacturing occurring in 1981. Micron underwent a 3-way merger in 1996 involving ZEOS International, Micron Computer, and Micron Custom Manufacturing Services, which essentially increased the size and scope of the company. In the following year, Micron acquired NetFrame Systems in a bid to enter the mid-range server industry. Micron acquired Lexar Digital Media in 2006, further expanding their business platforms.
Products, Services, and Platforms
Computer and Networking
The computer and networking segment
includes memory products and solutions sold into cloud servers, enterprises, clients, graphics, and networking markets. Micron Technology is a proprietor of 1Xnm DRAM technology and continues to implement it within their products. In 2018, Micron produced the 8Gb GDDR6 memory, which delivers improvements over the GDDR5, and enables bandwidth-intensive applications in core CNBU markets in a variety of applications such as artificial intelligence and networking.
Cloud Server: Artificial intelligence servers require significantly increasing quantities of
DRAM and as the number and capabilities of these intelligent edge devices increase, more data is stored, processed, and accessed in the cloud, creating a virtuous cycle between the cloud and edge devices. Micron bridges this gap with the 1Xnm portfolio combined with the continued ramp of second-generation 1Xnm 8Gb DDR4 products.
Networking: The networking memory segment is characterized by long life-cycle DRAM products, and accordingly, 30nm and 25nm-series DRAM technology. In 2018, there was a shift from DDR3 to DDR4 DRAM and 4Gb DDR4 DRAM began emerging in 5G applications.
Graphics: The graphics segment entails GDDR5/5x DRAM graphics products that are incorporated into applications
providing virtual reality, augmented reality, and crypto-mining technology. Production of the 8Gb GDDR5 switched to the 1Xnm DRAM technology, which augmented production of the GDDR5/5x DRAM memory on 20nm line-width technology.
Mobile
The mobile business division encompasses memory products sold in smartphones and other mobile-device markets, and includes discrete DRAM, discrete NAND, and managed NAND. The managed NAND includes eMMC and universal flash storage (UFS) solutions, which each combine high-capacity NAND with a high-speed controller and
firmware in a small ball-grid array, and eMCP products, which combine an eMMC/UFS solution with LPDRAM. Micron’s 1Xnm LPDRAM solutions provide power efficiency, while the 1Ynm 12Gb LPDDR4 provides both power efficiency and higher capacity.
Smartphones: Micron’s 1Xnm LPDDR4 DRAM has been utilized with major mobile phone OEMs to enable artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and life-like virtual reality capabilities into high-end phones. This includes facial and voice recognition, real-time translation, fast image search, and scene detection.
Storage
The storage segment includes SSDs and component-level solutions sold into enterprise and cloud, client, and consumer storage markets as well as other discrete storage products sold in component and wafer forms to the removable storage markets. Micron developed the third-generation 96-tier 3D NAND structure, which delivers faster output and
higher bandwidth at system levels.
Subsidiaries/Partners
Micron Technology’s portfolio includes the products and services of IM Flash Technologies, Micron Asia Pacific, Micron International B.V., Micron International LLC, Micron Memory Finance, Micron Memory Japan, Micron Memory Taiwan, Micron Semiconductor Asia, Micron Semiconductor Asia Operations, Micron Semiconductor B.V., Micron Semiconductor Taiwan, Micron Technology, Micron Technology Finance, and Micron Technology Taiwan.
Competitors
Micron Technology’s competitors include Smart Global Holdings, Infineon, Toshiba, SanDisk, Intel, Samsung Electronics, Seagate, Rockwell Automation, Acacia Communications, Adesto Technologies, DAQO New Energy, Envision Solar, GSI Technology Inc, Ichor Holdings, Kopin Corporation, MACOM Technology, MaxLinear, Monolith Power Systems,
QuickLogic Corporation, STMicroelectronics, Summit Wireless Technologies, and several other companies.
Countries of Operation
The primary operating countries of Micron Technology are Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, China, and the U.S.
