Provides smaller chip size, better performance and greater design flexibility
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC"; NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981), China's largest and most advanced semiconductor foundry, today announced the availability of its 1.2-volt Low-Power Embedded EEPROM Platform, which is fully compatible with its 0.13-micron (um) low-leakage (LL) process. The process- and IP-qualified platform is designed to reduce power consumption, chip size, and cost, while increasing data security. The new platform is SMIC's latest value-added offering for mature process nodes and is targeted at China's fast-growing dual-interface financial IC card market, as well as the worldwide market for contactless smart cards.
Built on SMIC's 0.13um LL process, the 1.2V LL platform uses pure EEPROM technology with byte-mode operation. The platform features up to a 50% reduction in memory area and 50% lower power consumption compared to 0.18um EEPROM technologies. It also provides the option to incorporate a cache controller to reduce read access time while maintaining low power consumption and providing greater design flexibility. The platform is ideal for applications such as dual-interface bankcards, social security cards, health insurance cards, transportation cards, e-passports, and electronic payment cards. The platform incorporates EEPROM, ROM, VR, OSC, I/O, memory compiler and light detector IP. In addition to SMIC's own IP, third-party IP is available for memory compilers. SMIC's 0.13um LL process uses copper low-k interconnects and cobalt silicide transistor interconnects. Devices built with the process will support full read and program operations at temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 85 degrees Celsius, with minimum 30-year data retention at 55 degrees after 100,000 read and write cycles (equivalent to more than 300-year data retention at room temperature). The technology is currently undergoing qualification for 1 million read and write cycles.
"We are encouraged by our customers' response to this new offering, which will have its first IC bankcard product tape-out by the end of this year," said Chris Chi, SMIC's Chief Business Officer. "On the basis of our years of mass production experience with 0.18um EEPROM and input from our customers, we expect robust market demand and a quick ramp-up for the 0.13um-1.2V LL EEPROM platform."
