X-FAB adds non-volatile memory function

What is memory? What are its uses? X-FAB Silicon Foundries, the world's leading analog/mixed-signal and specialty foundry, today announced the availability of SONOS-based Flash and embedded devices on the widely used XT018 BCD-on-SOI platform EEPROM. The addition of these non-volatile memories (NVM) will open up more applications where high-voltage ratings and high-temperature capabilities are required, as well as increased computing power.

An increasing number of applications require microcontroller-base solutions that include embedded Flash and EEPROM combined with high voltage (up to 100V), high temperature and ESD/EMC immunity. EEPROM is ideal for situations where memory blocks need to be reprogrammed many times (at the wafer level, as well as in field applications). X-FAB's SONOS technology supports operation at temperatures from -40°C to 175°C and meets automotive AEC-Q100 "0" grade quality standards.

The new X-FAB NVM solution includes a 32kBytes Flash and 4kbit EEPROM. Both components feature the company's SONOS technology and take advantage of the reliability and experience demonstrated in the 180nm bulk silicon process (XH018). Flash and EEPROM sub-blocks can operate from a single 1.8V voltage and operate independently through the same shared peripheral interface, allowing for optimal packaging.

To ensure data integrity, the NVM solution includes error code correction (ECC) functions, which perform single-bit correction on Flash and double-bit correction on EEPROM. The NVM module also comes with an embedded test interface, allowing direct manipulation of Flash and EEPROM IP. In this way, customers can benefit from X-FAB’s NVM wafer-level test and packaging equipment test capabilities to reduce debugging and time to market.

This new NVM solution adds only four additional process layers to the XT018 basic flow and is particularly suitable for a range of different application areas, such as automotive, industrial, IoT and medical. In addition, the ultra-low leakage performance provided by this BCD-on-SOI will prove its value in emerging applications such as remote autonomous sensor interfaces for the Internet of Things and in vivo health monitoring applications.

Nando Basile, NVM marketing manager at We have the ability to respond to the many opportunities that are beginning to emerge in the medical and industrial fields." The above is the new non-volatile memory function of X-FAB on the 180nm BCD-on-SOI platform. I hope it can be helpful to everyone.