Sensor

Mobile computing devices, IoT devices, and automotive electronic systems are typically packed with multiple sensors. A sensor is a device or a module that detects a change in a stimulus and converts it into an electronic signal for aggregation or processing. The stimulus is usually a physical phenomenon, such as temperature, pressure, force, or acceleration. There are many different types of sensors including piezoelectric inertial sensor, magnetic, thermistor, gyroscope, photodiode, geomagnetic, and more.

MEMS are specialized sensors that combines mechanical and electrical components in an integrated device. MEMS are mostly multi-dice solutions. Chip designers typically place sensing dies with application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) side-by-side in a common package. The sensing die interface with the outside world while the ASIC provides the system with the necessary intelligence, such as analog-to-digital conversion, amplification, temperature compensation, storage as well as logic and communication functions. Some of the advantages of using the integration of MEMS chips with ASICs include smaller size, low power consumption, and cost-efficient implementation.

NVM IPs can be used in ASICs because they are compatible for platform-based designs. Instead of fully developing different ASICs for different variants of MEMS sensor, chip designers have the opportunity to "personalize" the functionality of the ASICs for each application by storing different device configuration codes in OTP or MTP. This allow designers to reduce product development cycles and cost. NVM IPs can also be used to trim ASICs to match sensing dies to remove inaccuracies stemming from random or systematic manufacturing variations. MTP provides automotive ASICs and MEMS designers the additional benefit of power-on self re-test and re-trimming or re-calibration. Regardless of the applications, the economic advantages of using NVM IPs in sensors cannot be overlooked.

Solutions that are field programmable and cost-efficient

Logic compatible and available for CMOS processes

eMemory’s NVM IPs use standard processes and provide chip designers with the advantages of design portability and scalability.

Field programmability

With eMemory’s NVM IPs, ASICs can store field-programmable configuration and trim parameters over a broad range of manufacturing processes and environmental conditions.

Compact and cost-effective

eMemory’s NVM IPs are small in area. Our NVM IPs enable analog circuit or sensor calibration and conditioning for flexible and precise trimming; thereby improving manufacturing yields and lowering production costs.