Automotive Qualified MTP in 0.18um Process

(posted on Feb 2, 2022)

NSCore, Inc. Introduces its Automotive Grade-1 Qualified Non-Volatile Memory solution to help address the increasing need for Low Cost Semiconductor Chips

Fukuoka, Japan

NSCore, a leader in Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) technology, is announcing the completion of its Automotive Grade-1 qualification of their NVM IP. The increase in the electronic components count in automobiles is requiring more and more NVM IP, for control of systems like anti-lock brakes, infotainment, and driver assistance. These systems rely on NVM IP to store critical performance requirements and provide access to software updates when available and uploaded into the electrical system in the automobile.

This IP is available in a 180-nanometer (nm) mixed signal 1.8V/5V CMOS and a 180nm BCD process. The NSCore NVM IP does not require any additional masks or process steps. Using this IP will reduce the overall cost to manufacture chips by up to 30%. Adopting the NSCore NVM IP can also increase the actual chip output of the foundry. This approach will enable a 30% reduction in the photo lithography steps required to build each chip using the NSCore IP, compared to embedded Flash memory solutions. By deploying the NSCore NVM IP, a foundry has the potential of increasing the total number of wafers fabricated each day by up to 30%. This will enable to the foundry to significantly increase its production to address the needs of the semiconductor market.

The current semiconductor shortage is also one of the major causes of inflation in the supply chain for several different products, including automobiles. The 30% chip level savings gained by using the NSCore MTP solution can also help reduce the overall bill of materials (BOM) cost for the electronic systems deployed in automobiles. That kind of significant cost saving is a goal that many chip manufacturers are looking to achieve. This is exciting news for all the industries currently suffering from the inflationary pressures of the semiconductor chip shortage.

The NSCore Automotive Grade-1 NVM IP has been fully qualified to support 1K cycles of endurance. That range can be increased to support 10K cycles of endurance, based on the specific requirements or needs of the targeted application. A 32Kbyte silicon proven macro is available to be shipped to customers with a complete design kit for chip level integration. Different macros can be made available in a comprehensive range of configurations supporting both small and large densities applications.

NSCore’s  30+ patents, and its ability to build NVM IP solutions without any additional layers in a standard digital process, enables it to provide this unique solution in multiple technology nodes, for low-cost applications.

About NSCore:

Founded in 2004, NSCore is an IP provider specializing in the field of non-volatile memory technology. NSCore has developed a non-volatile memory core which can be implemented in standard CMOS platforms with excellent process portability, high yield, and high reliability. NSCore provides a complete matrix of macros (bit counts), specific design parameters for each, foundry proven yield and reliability data, and finally multiple licensing options to fit the customer’s needs.  The result is a non-volatile memory IP that is ready for integration into the end user’s product.  Visit www.nscore.com for more information.

Ultra-Low-Power OTP+ in 40nm

(posted on Oct 20, 2021)

NSCore, Inc. introduces its OTP+ solution to address the IoT market need for an Ultra-Low-Power OTP NVM IP Solution in 40nm  

Fukuoka, Japan

Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) technology is a critical component of the IoT chips built in advanced technologies like 40nm. The NSCore OTP+, One-Time-Programmable Plus, NVM has the unique feature of being able to be re-programmed to address the potential changes in software late in the product development process. A standard OTP IP solution cannot be modified or re-programmed after the chip fabrication has been completed, while the NSCore OTP+ can.  This feature can minimize the need to re-spin the fabrication of an IoT chip, which is critical in this new emerging market.

NSCore is using its patented bit-cell structure, “P-Channel Schottky Cell”, for this NVM solution. It requires NO additional processing steps and has a low power performance of 1uA/MHz. The NSCore OTP+ is also small is size, the area of a 1K x 39b (32b + ECC) is 0.082mm2, which is very small for the 40nm processing node. One of the targeted markets for this IP is Energy Harvesting Chips working in the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Band for IoT applications.

NSCore’s  30+ patents, and its ability to build NVM IP solutions without any additional layers in a standard digital process, enables it to provide this unique solution in the 40nm technology node, for low-cost applications in the IoT market.

“Wiliot selected the OTP+ solution from NSCore due to the extremely low-power operations and the small footprint. Those features are critical for the ultra-low power energy harvesting products of Wiliot” said Yaron Elboim Wiliot VP of R&D.

About NSCore:

Founded in 2004, NSCore is an IP provider specializing in the field of non-volatile memory technology. NSCore has developed a non-volatile memory core which can be implemented in standard CMOS platforms with excellent process portability, high yield and high reliability. NSCore provides a complete matrix of macros (bit counts), specific design parameters for each, foundry proven yield and reliability data, and finally multiple licensing options to fit the customer’s needs.  The result is a non-volatile memory IP that is ready for integration into the end user’s product.  Visit www.nscore.com for more information.

About Wiliot:

Wiliot is the first Sensing as a Service company, whose cloud platform connects the digital and physical worlds using its IoT Pixel tagging technology – computers the size of a postage stamp – that power themselves in revolutionary ways. Our vision is to expand the Internet of things to include trillions of everyday products, adding connected intelligence to everything from plastic crates, to pharmaceuticals, packaging, clothes, and so much more.  By connecting them to the internet, at every stage, we will change the way products are made, distributed, sold, used, reused, and recycled. www.wiliot.com

TSMC 2021 NA/China/Europe OIP Ecosystem Forum

(posted on Sep 6, 2021)

Visit NSCore Virtual Exhibition Booth at the TSMC 2021 NA/China/Europe OIP Ecosystem Forum

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North America – OIP Ecosystem Forum

MTP on 28nm HKMG process

(posted on Nov 6, 2018)

NSCore Inc. Addresses the IoT market need for an NVM IP Solution in advanced process nodes using Hi-k Metal Gate with their Multi-Time Programmable (MTP) Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) IP Solution

FUKUOKA, Japan, Nov. 5, 2018 / — The Embedded Flash Memory (NVM) technology has been a key component of the MCU and the IoT marketplace of several generations of technologies. Despite a significant amount of R+D effort, there is not a commercially available Embedded Flash Solution with Floating Gate or SONOS cells in the 28nm and lower process nodes which utilizing Hi-k Metal Gate (HKMG). Access to a low cost NVM IP solution in these advanced technology nodes, 28nm and below, is needed in the IoT market. It will result in a significant increase in the number of applications, and market adoption for IoT chip designs.

To address this need, NSCore is developing a new bit-cell structure, “P-Channel Schottky Cell”, on HKMG. It will require NO additional processing steps and it is targeted to achieve 10K cycles of endurance.

NSCore’s 30+ patents the its ability to build NVM IP solutions without any additional layers in a standard digital process, enables it to provide this unique solution in the 28nm technology node and beyond. The recently announced strategic relationship with Spectral Design & Test will also enable NSCore to offer a Compiler version of their NVM IP. This feature will enhance the chip designer abilities to make design and physical layout trade-offs as they architecture new chip designs.

The overall targeted performance for this new NVM are: 10usec of program time, 10K cycles of endurance and over 10 years of retention.

Since the NSCore NVM solution does not require any additional processing steps in the standard logic process, it will be a low cost NVM IP solution. Also due to the planar nature of these advanced but non-FinFET process nodes, many industry experts expect them to be the workhorse technology nodes for all future IoT development activity, and NSCore is looking to play a significant role in this market.

MTP/OTP Memory Compilers

(posted on Oct 11, 2018)

SOMERVILLE, N.J., Oct. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spectral Design & Test Inc. (SDT), the leading provider of embedded MemoryIP, announced it has signed a joint marketing agreement (JMA) with NSCore Inc to OEM MTP/OTP solutions based on SDT’s Memory Development EDA platform. The combination of targeted automation software and silicon proven NVM IP for MTP/OTP, customers will now have access to One/Multiple Time Programmable (OTP/MTP) non-volatile flash memory that can be configured for their PPA requirements. New IOT applications require architectural exploration with requirements changing through the product development lifecycle. The Spectral and NSCore partnership is designed to deliver innovative embedded memory technology to semiconductor chip designers and system integrators. The JMA includes joint development, sales, marketing and service investments to support both companies MemoryIP and software product lines.

OTP/MTP solutions from NSCore are silicon proven from 180nm to 22nm process nodes. Spectral sells software for tiling, analysis, characterization and verification of MemoryIP. The methodology and  expertise to develop Memory Compilers enables Spectral to efficiently develop cost-effective solutions without upsetting the customers ecosystem. Spectral will work closely with NSCore engineers to provide configurable OTP/MTP solutions to the marketplace. Both companies will leverage their respective sales channel to deploy each other’s MemoryIP offerings.

“NSCore is a leader in non-volatile memory solutions with a very unique technology that ensures a highly reliable and secure MTP/OTP product line that is thoroughly tested for reliability & endurance over a wide range of technologies,” said Deepak Mehta, President and CEO of SDT. “By combining Spectral’s one-of-a-kind Memory Development software and NSCore’s patent-protected IP from NSCore, our customers will benefit with a highly flexible solution that provides NVM technology with no extra process steps.”

“Spectral has world-class expertise and infrastructure to create configurable memory designs,” said Tadahiko Horiuchi, President & CEO of NSCore. “Spectral’s expertise in developing SRAM/RF/ROM compilers in conjunction with our high capacity OTP/MTP solutions will help us deploy a highly differentiated product that benefits our mutual customers. NSCore will help Spectral expand their footprint in the Far East for their Memory Compiler automation software & MemoryIP (SRAM/RF/ROM), complementing the effort Spectral will put toward supporting and tapping the OTP/MTP market in the Americas.”

For more information about Spectral’s business relationship with NSCore, please reach out to us at sales@spectral-dt.com

Or check out our website at: www.spectral-dt.com