July 27, 2009 -- Kilopass Technology, Inc. announced today that it is providing a read only memory (ROM) conversion option for its one-time programmable memory (OTP) product lines.

The major tradeoff designers make between using an OTP versus a ROM is programmability versus test cost. An OTP can be programmed at wafer, final test, or in system but requires typically 50µs to 2µs of program time per bit or byte depending on the technology. For high capacity memory, the test time can be in the seconds potentially. For electrical programmability, the test cost may well justify it. But, when code matures by high-volume production, Kilopass has a path to lowering the cost of manufacturing by eliminating the majority of the OTP test cost — programming test time. ROM-it! converts XPM OTP to ROM with a 1-layer via change for 90-nm and below processes or a 2-layer OD and poly change for 130nm and above.

The advantage of ROM-it! is that it enables conversion from OTP to ROM with no additional area overhead. The antifuse technology Kilopass pioneered supports a ROM conversion without increasing the bit cell area. All the existing products can be converted to ROM without altering the aspect ratio.

"As with our existing OTP-only technology,” said CTO Harry Luan, “the modified bit cell to support conversion to a ROM complies with foundries’ DFM design rules and has the same high quality for manufacturability and reliability, without requiring mask upgrade or special manufacturing control."

Availability