Novocell Semiconductor announces the expansion of the firm's one-time programmable non-volatile memory IP product line

Product expansion, innovation, and rebranding characterize suite of Novocell OTP NVM products to serve SoC and fabless firms

July 6, 2012 - Hermitage, PA -- Novocell Semiconductor, Inc., the leading innovator in embedded, high reliability one-time programmable (OTP) antifuse non-volatile memory (NVM), has announced an expansion of their immediately available intellectual property (IP) product line. As the semiconductor market has continued to evolve, differentiated requirements for highly reliable memory storage have grown in such segments as wireless handheld communications, mobile and tablet computing, global positioning system (GPS) equipment, integrated automotive sensing, monitoring, communications and entertainment, and industrial automation and controls, security and encryption, and military and aerospace applications.

“Our core antifuse-based OTP Smartbit™ technology was first patented in 2001 and 2002, and created a solid foundation for our first ten years,” stated Walt Novosel, President and CTO, “Since then, our customer-driven focus has led to numerous innovations in our original high reliability Smartbit-based NVM IP to best service specific system on chip (SoC) market segments. Our announcement today unveils our full line of NVM products to fully serve our customers’ needs, from 8bit register OTP, to specialty trimming and calibration OTP, to 4Mbit ultra-high density code storage and configuration OTP, to 1000x multi-time write hybrid OTP/MTP.” All Novocell products continue to be based on the fundamental Smartbit technology, and provide the highest level of programming and storage reliability and security available in the OTP segment, particularly at low power, advanced process nodes.

Novocell’s single original NovoBlox® product has been divided and expanded to include three new product families that now encompass Novobits™, NovoBytes™, and NovoHD™, each tailored to meet the needs of specific market applications.

Novobits – Novobits is a register-type architecture OTP, designed as a dense and highly reliable efuse replacement and available in sizes ranging from 8bits to 256bits. A special version of Novobits, previously known as NovoBlox Serial and now branded Novobits SPX, is available specifically for analog trimming and calibration and includes convenience features like Serial mode I/O and a special Preview mode for data testing in analog mixed signal applications.

NovoBytes – NovoBytes is a ROM-style block array OTP offering access times under 8 nanoseconds and ability to program from standard IO voltage with current <2.5mA, particularly well-suited to feature enablement and part configuration. NovoBytes is available from 8bits to 32Kbits in a choice of word sizes. A special multi-time write version of NovoBytes, NovoBytes MTP, was the industry’s first hybrid OTP/MTP solution to provide virtual multi-time write functionality in 2010, and is available off-the-shelf in 2x, 4x and 8x write versions, or may be customized in configurations to up to 1000x writes. NovoBytes MTP is available in densities from 8bits to 32Kbits, and has found rapid adoption within the mobile segment for its ability to effectively help customers better manage part reconfiguration and inventory optimization challenges in that fast changing market.

NovoHD – NovoHD is an ultra-high density ROM style OTP available in sizes up to 4Mbits for high capacity code storage, security, and feature enablement in low power, advanced node applications.

All Novocell NVM products are built on the uncontested Smartbit bit cell design technology and programming process, rely fully on only standard CMOS processes with no additional masks or post-process steps, and feature a unique High Voltage Generator that eliminates the need for a area-consuming external charge pump, requiring only the standard process I/O voltage to achieve oxide breakdown. The IP macros program each bit dynamically, while monitoring the programming process to completion which then triggers a logic DONE confirmation signal. No additional error correction circuitry, additional chip area for redundant bit inclusion, or other chip footprint waste is required.

Smartbit-based OTP NVM product IP is qualified at all major foundries, and the exclusive dynamic programming methodology makes Novocell OTP the most process independent and foundry independent antifuse NVM available, with the technology available and scalable from larger legacy .35µm process nodes to advanced nodes including 20nm and beyond.

About Novocell Semiconductor, Inc.

Novocell Semiconductor, Inc. specializes in developing and delivering advanced non-volatile memory intellectual property (IP) to the semiconductor industry. Novocell is the only provider of NovoBytes MTP, the first OTP/multi-time write hybrid antifuse memory IP, and NovoHD, the highest density antifuse OTP NVM available. Novobits, Novobits SPX, NovoBytes, NovoBytes MTP, and NovoHD are the only antifuse memories proven to have zero tail bit failures within consumer, automotive, and military spec operating ranges as well as offer a guarantee of 30 years of data retention. For more information, please visit: www.novocellsemi.com.

About Novocell’s Smartbit™ OTP Technology

Novocell's patented and uncontested Smartbit one-time programmable memory bit cell technology is used in all Novocell nonvolatile memory products. Smartbit-based products feature a unique High Voltage Generator that eliminates the need for a large external charge pump, require only the standard process I/O to achieve oxide breakdown, and are routinely and easily fabricated within fully standard CMOS processes without need for additional layers, masks, or processing steps. The Smartbit-based antifuse NVM products employ use of a dynamic voltage programming method that automatically senses when hard breakdown has been completed—indicating completion of bit cell programming—and triggers a logic DONE signal output, providing customers unequalled assurance that the programmed data is intact, all bit cells are programmed, and data stored within each macro will endure safely and securely for at least 30 years.

For more information on this announcement, contact Mike Compeau by email at mike@novocellsemi.com, or call 724-983-0600.