One Mega-Bit Embedded Reprogrammable Non-Volatile Memory on Standard CMOS
Portable Design News, Monday June 16, 2008
Virage Logic Corporation has announced the emPROM Memory System, a new family of embedded multi-time programmable (MTP) non-volatile memory (NVM) for flexible program code storage in System-on-Chip (SoC) devices. Combining user-defined functionality with Virage Logic’s high-capacity read-only memory (ROM) and NOVeA Flash memory, emPROM provides secure, fully-integrated embedded NVM for SoC designs requiring up to 16 Megabits of code storage and is manufactured on industry standard CMOS processes with no additional mask or process steps. emPROM is specified for a minimum of up to 100,000 program cycles with 10-year data retention at 125 degrees Celsius.
The emPROM Memory System addresses the critical issues of SoC code security, performance, power consumption and special process requirements. Most SoC designs in production today use a two-chip solution to implement and execute program code, a Flash memory for program storage and the SoC containing the embedded processor, which executes the program instructions. This implementation introduces significant security vulnerability as data crosses chip boundaries from the Flash memory to the SoC. This is true even with system-in-package (SIP) implementations where multiple die are combined in a single package. By eliminating the external Flash memory device, emPROM improves design security and reliability while reducing system size and manufacturing costs. 
There are a few embedded high-density memory solutions available today including embedded Flash, one-time-programmable (OTP) and ROM. While embedded Flash is available for production at some foundries on mature process nodes, this type of memory requires additional masks and process steps, which increase overall manufacturing costs. In fact, as a result of the additional manufacturing costs incurred by utilizing an embedded Flash process, SoC die costs can increase dramatically as the overall die size increases relative to the amount of embedded Flash memory required.
By its very nature, OTP memory can only be programmed once, rendering it useless in the event of bit failures or code changes. While ROM offers the lowest cost memory, it is configured during wafer production, making it the least flexible in terms of implementing code changes.
Virage Logic’s emPROM Memory System is available now along with a 90nm reference design. The reference design includes a project license for a 1Mbit Via ROM, 4Kbit NOVeA 3.0, emPROM processor, RTL source code and documentation. emPROM pricing starts at $90,000.
Virage Logic Corporation, Fremont, CA (510) 360-8000 [www.viragelogic.com]
