Overview

Microcontroller units (MCU) have found a wide range of applications in consumer electronics, industrial control, automotive electronics, and household appliances. Conventionally, an MCU chip requires dedicated memory, such as ROM. An MCU uses ROM for three purposes. First, ROM can be used for storing software programs, with instructions written in one or more ROM words. Second, ROM functions as a constant data storage unit in the MCU system. Finally, ROM implements a combinational logic circuit. However, mask maintenance and programmability are major concerns in traditional mask ROM solutions. To resolve these issues, eMemory offers innovative and competitive memory IP solutions, NeoBit OTP HD/GHD and NeoFlash Flash HD. Moreover, NeoBit also provides an OTP-to-ROM conversion program so that customers can reduce back-end testing overhead for fixed-code products. The service is called NeoROM, without modifying the whole circuit layout by implementing only ONE layer change.

NVM IP For ROM Replacement

Within the eMemory IP family, NeoBit OTP HD/GHD and NeoFlash Flash HD, are a series of products designed specifically as ROM replacements. It comes in densities ranging from 2K to 8M bits, allowing customers to optimize code storage efficiency with maximum flexibility. With powerful advantages over traditional ROM, such as programmability and testability, NeoBit OTP HD/GHD and NeoFlash Flash HD spare users from version-to-version mask maintenance and inventory concerns. In addition, NeoBit OTP HD/GHD with its logic-based architecture requires no additional masking layers or extra processes, creating the additional benefit of fast time-to-market. Currently, NeoBit OTP HD/GHD is available in a variety of technologies and configurations, through multiple foundries. NeoFlash Flash HD only needs 2~3 extra masks to provide embedded flash IP for ROM replacement.

MCU Block Diagram