Date: 25/04/2011

Embedded multi-time programmable NVM in 40nm

Kilopass Technology Inc. has unveiled embedded multi-time programmable (MTP) non volatile memory IP in 40nm called ltera for use in system-on-chip VLSI design to store software that must be updated and changed over time. Kilopass claims designers can achieve significantly lower costs (70% less), higher performance (24X increase), and improved integration by replacing external serial EEPROM and NOR flash in high-volume mobile and consumer applications. Itera provides up to 1 Mb of storage capacity and 1024 cycles of reprogrammability in applications such as time stamp, key revocation, firmware updates, and trimming adjustments. Kilopass also claims Itera enables a typical design to achieve a twenty four fold increase in performance over Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) Flash and EEPROM solutions and realize a cost savings averaging about $6 million for a chip that achieves a 10-million unit per year run rate.

"Itera is a breakthrough embedded MTP solution with broad applications for our 100-plus customers. It's also one in a series of exciting new products Kilopass is rolling out over the next 12 months to provide our industry with Boundless Freedom to Embed," said Charlie Cheng, CEO of Kilopass Technology, Inc. "With up to 1024 cycles of re-programmability, Itera provides more than enough endurance for over 50% of mobile and consumer applications. Implemented in standard CMOS utilizing proven Kilopass antifuse technology, Itera is a novel approach to solve the cost and integration requirements of today's high-volume SoC."

The key features of ltera includes:

Itera is also ideal for low frequency data logging - for example, counting the number of times a battery is drained and recharged, the amount of ink deposited in disposable ink jet cartridges, and other similar data acquisition applications.
Itera can contain the protocol stacks in SoCs for Bluetooth, 802.11, and the various wireless communications standards that enable connectivity of these devices. For radio frequency functions in SoCs, Itera can store data for trimming analog components that change over time.
Itera integrated in a SoC is claimed to offer up to 70% less in total cost than an external MTP.
To serve applications such as automotive and industrial, the Kilopass technology has been qualified through high temperature operating life (HTOL) and high temperature storage life (HTSL) standard in process nodes including 40nm.
Kilopass' patented 2T antifuse technology is integrated in over 2 billion integrated circuits (ICs) as a solution for OTP NVM.
Itera's interface is an industry standard Open Core Protocol (OCP) that dramatically simplifies integration at the front-end.
Suggested for SoCs in TVs, tablets, and a wide variety of handheld devices

"We expect within five years to have Itera replacing 25% of serial EEPROM and NOR flash in consumer and mobile designs," said Linh Hong, vice president of marketing of Kilopass Technology, Inc. "Itera's availability in advanced process nodes utilized by today's high volume consumer and mobile SoC and the cost, performance, and integration advantages over external solutions will facilitate its adoption."

"Itera is the follow-on to Gusto, the high-density embedded logic NVM product we introduced in 2010, and one of a series of new products we are developing as part of an exciting new chapter of Kilopass," said Lee Cleveland, vice president of engineering at Kilopass Technology. "The scalability of our antifuse technology which has been demonstrated in SOI and high-K metal gate already, continues to provide a competitive advantage against all other alternatives. This scalability will enable customers to realize cost, performance, and form factor advantages with Itera over discrete MTP solutions. Designers have access to MTP in leading edge processes now with Itera."

Pricing & Availability: Itera's pricing model is based on percentage of cost savings over external EEPROM and NOR Flash solutions in the market. Like XPM and Gusto, there are two components to pricings: license fee for use of Itera in a design and a per wafer royalty. Itera is available in MTP capacity from 32 bit to 1Mb and is now available at all major pure play foundries including TSMC, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, and UMC in 40nm bulk silicon with 65nm and 55nm in H2'11.