From GlobalFoundries and Microchip, 28nm SuperFlash Embedded Flash Memory Solution in Production

GlobalFoundries, Inc. (GF) and Microchip Technology, Inc., via Silicon Storage Technology Microchip’s subsidiary, announces the release to production of the SST ESF3 3rd-Gen embedded SuperFlash technology NVM solution in the GF 28SLPe foundry process.

GF has established an industry benchmark for implementing SST’s widely deployed ESF3 SuperFlash technology.

This implementation delivers following capabilities and benefits:

• Lowest cost 28-nm HKMG ESF3 solution with only 10 masks added, including true 5V IO CMOS devices
• Highly competitive SST ESF3 bit cell size of less than 0.05μ squared
• Operating temperature rating of −40°C to 125°C
• Sub 25ns read access times, 10ms program times and 4ms erase times
• Endurance exceeding 100,000 program/erase cycles
• No impact to design flows using GF 28SLPe platform-qualified IP (EG flow)
• Immediate availability of off-the-shelf macros from 4 to 32Mb
• Access to custom macro design support from SST or GF

Use cases for embedded flash are exploding with the drive for increased intelligence at the edge. Embedded memory for secure code storage, over-the-air-updates and enhanced functionality is on the rise in a range of applications in home and industrial IoT as well as smart mobile devices. These platforms are required to meet these needs.

“GF is proud to partner with SST to develop, qualify and release to production this impressive embedded NVM solution on our robust 28SLPe platform,” said Mike Hogan, chief business unit officer, GF. “GF’s customers are finding this combination of high performance, excellent reliability, IP availability and cost effectiveness to be ideal for advanced MCUs, complex smart cards and IoT chips for consumer and industrial products.”

“SST and GF have partnered closely over the last decade to integrate and productize SST’s industry-standard ESF1 and ESF3 embedded flash technologies into GF’s 130-nm BCD, 55-nm, 40-nm, and now 28-nm foundry platforms,” added Mark Reiten, VP, SST, licensing business unit, Microchip. “We are excited by the leadership position GF is establishing for the broadest offering of embedded NVM solutions and expect our close partnership to deliver additional breakthroughs over the coming decade.”

SST was exhibiting its embedded flash technology in the IP partner area during GF GTS Summit in Munic, Germany.

Resources:
GF’s ESF1 and ESF3 platform solutions    
SuperFlash technology memBrain neuromorphic memory solution IP