austriamicrosystems upgrades its non-volatile memory portfolio with ultra high reliability and high temperature EEPROM blocks

New high-reliability EEPROM blocks offer endurance up to 1 million read/write cycles at 25°C or extended temperature range up to 170°C

Unterpremstaetten, Austria -- December 14, 2010 – austriamicrosystems Full Service Foundry business unit announced today a further expansion of its non-volatile memory portfolio for its 0.35µm process family. The entire EEPROM IP block portfolio now includes 14 non-volatile memories (EEPROM and/or Flash) starting with small blocks offering 20x8 bit and 64x8 bit memory size, ideally used for trimming purposes ranging to larger size memories with up to 12,5kx32 bit size used for program and/or firmware storage. Please refer to our web site in order to get an overview of all available EEPROM/Flash blocks www.austriamicrosystems.com/Flash-blocks. Furthermore customer specific memories may be generated on demand.

All high reliability and high temperature EEPROM blocks are fully automotive-qualified and eminently suited for harsh environment, making them ideal for designs in automotive, medical and industrial applications. Many products such as power metering systems, motor control units, engine management systems and many more will benefit from an ultra high reliability over an extended temperature range up to 170°C by using a proven PMOS-based NVM technology. Furthermore the patented bit cell concept makes all austriamicrosystems NVMs very robust against daylight and ultra-violet radiation. Especially when implemented in WLP packages or bare dies, an unintended erase of stored content is successfully prevented.

Optimized for low power and low voltage applications, the endurance of high reliability and high temperature memories is typically 1 million read/write cycles at 25°C and at least 100k cycles at 125°C while data retention is ensured for a minimum of 20 years at 125°C. Supply voltage ranges from 1.2V to 3.6V for read and write complete the key technology features of the new EEPROM blocks.

“With an endurance of more than 1 million read/write cycles at 25°C and ensured data retention for a minimum of 20 years at 125°C, austriamicrosystems sets a benchmark in ultra high reliability EEPROM blocks. In combination with an extended temperature range up to 170°C, these blocks are ideally suited for applications in the automotive and industry fields or harsh environments”, said Thomas Riener, Senior Vice President and General Manager of austriamicrosystems' Full Service Foundry business unit. “Available as part of our recently launched “More than Silicon” initiative, this EEPROM IP portfolio expansion provides foundry customers a competitive advantage for their products and demonstrates austriamicrosystems capabilities as a leading specialty analog foundry.”

The silicon-proven memory IP block can be obtained from austriamicrosystems now. The integration into a product design is very quick and user-friendly using the HIT-Kit, austriamicrosystems’ industry benchmark process design kit. Due to the modularity of the processes foundry customers can re-use 100 percent of their standard 0.35µm CMOS designs, while the memory block is added right before starting production of the wafer.

About austriamicrosystems

austriamicrosystems’ business unit Full Service Foundry has successfully positioned itself in the analog/mixed-signal foundry market offering well-established RF CMOS, High-Voltage CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe-BiCMOS and embedded EEPROM processes. With superior support during the design phase, high-end tools and experienced engineers, austriamicrosystems succeeds to be an attractive analog foundry partner especially for fabless design houses.

austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of standard and customized high-performance analog ICs in the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces and mobile infotainment. Complemented by its full service foundry services, the company focuses on the communications, industrial & medical and automotive markets. austriamicrosystems leverages almost 30 years of expertise in low power and high accuracy to provide industry-leading products, operating worldwide with more than 1,000 employees with its own state-of-the-art manufacturing and test facilities. austriamicrosystems is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS).