XHC OTP NVM IP for Code Storage

As the amount of software in embedded processor applications increases, system developers are looking for new ways to store boot code and other software. Traditionally, many systems stored code in an external memory, often Flash or EEPROM, and downloaded it to the processor chip as needed. Due to the slow access times associated with external Flash memory, the code was downloaded to embedded SRAM on the processor chip.

The power required to access off-chip memory, along with security concerns of storing valuable code in external memory, has driven designers to store code in OTP NVM on the processor chip. The memory technology used for this storage must be high density, low cost, low power, and very secure and reliable. To reduce chip production cost, embedded OTP technology should provide an easy path for converting programmable OTP into mask ROM when code is frozen.

Synopsys XHC OTP NVM addresses these requirements with a high-capacity, highly secure anti-fuse bit cell architecture in densities up to 1Mb. The field-programmable OTP NVM is virtually impossible to reverse engineer to ensure integrity and prevent the theft of valuable code. It runs in standard logic CMOS processes with no added masks or process steps, adding zero cost to the process flow.