Non-volatile memory offers high endurance and low power for IoT applications

The amount of data processed in IoT applications continues to increase, making low power and high density paramount to system designers. Many IC designers are turning to single-chip solutions to implement these features, saving total system costs by combining digital, analogue, RF, MCU and embedded Flash memory on a monolithic device. To satisfy these requirements, Microchip, subsidiary Silicon Storage Technology (SST), and United Microelectronics Corporation offer the full qualification and availability of SST’s embedded SuperFlash non-volatile memory on UMC’s 40nm CMOS platform. The 40nm process highlights more than a 20% reduction in embedded Flash cell size and a 20% to 30% reduction in macro area over their 55nm process. The high tolerance of embedded SuperFlash IP offers SoC customers comprehensive reliability and design flexibility together with reduced power usage. The company's non-volatile memory technology is qualified for a minimum of 100,000 cycles, stressing the technology’s reliability. Ideal for edge computing in IoT devices, SST embedded SuperFlash technology highlights power benefits that arise from low-power standby and read operations, with core supply as low as 0.81V. SuperFlash also secures applications with code maintained on chip, which is the first step in stopping illegal access through software and hardware attacks. “The 40nm qualification represents another milestone in our partnership with UMC,” said Vipin Tiwari, director of worldwide business development and marketing for SST, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip. “SuperFlash technology continues to be the most reliable embedded Flash memory in the semiconductor industry, providing customers across broad markets the low-power, high-density features their products depend on.” “With the positive response and success from customers who used SST’s 55nm SuperFlash technology, we are pleased to offer our customers another process platform with characteristics that fit a range of IoT applications,” said Wenchi Ting, associate vice president of Specialty Technology division at UMC. “The addition of the fully qualified 40nm SST SuperFlash will further enrich our IP portfolio of high-quality embedded memory solutions.”