Aplus Flash Technology announces fully functionnal 0.35um embedded EEPROM IP from 8Kb to 512Kb at SMIC

Update: Aplus Flash Technology is no more in business

San Jose, California, August 6, 2003 - Aplus Flash Technology, a leader in nonvolatile memory, announces the availability of its 0.35um embedded EEPROM IP at SMIC, the first full-service 8" semiconductor foundry in China. The embedded EEPROM IP will be offered based on SMIC's 0.35um 2P3M2W 2-Tr Flotox EEPROM with HV P-channel process technology, and will be available in standard densities from 8Kb to 512Kb. Aplus also offers customized IP designs for ASICS, DSPs, CPUs, etc.

Previously this year Aplus released its low-density EEPROM IP for licensing. Now the high density EEPROM (up to 512Kb) has also tested fully functional and can meet all 12 normal functions according to spec: 128b page write, partial page write, random byte write, page write input data roll over, chip erase, standby mode, erase only, program only, page buffer clear, ws (write start) controlled write, ID read/write and ready/busy. Read operation voltage can cover a wide range from 1.8V to 6.0V, and write operation voltage is from 2.4V to 6.0V. At 1.8V, write time is 5ms, and read speed at room temperature is optimum over voltage ranges; for example, at 3.0V operation, read speed can be as fast as 45ns. The EEPROM can withstand over 1 million program/erase cycles, and is optimally designed for a small die size (5.79mm2 for 256Kb), about 10% smaller than a currently available counterpart.

SMIC's and Aplus' combination of embedded EEPROM IP and foundry services gives customers flexible embedded EEPROM solutions for applications needing various density in-system reprogrammability, such as smart cards or SIM cards, etc. Of the major foundries, many only offer EEPROM in 0.5um technologies and above with no embedded EEPROM IP available. Jointly, SMIC and Aplus offer a convenient solution for customers needing both cost-effective IP and wafers.

With many more embedded NVM IPs available and next generation Flash technology under development, Aplus is firmly establishing itself as a premier NVM IP design company (ROM, OTP, NTP, EEPROM, Flash) and memory provider. Aplus offers proven, experienced designs that can be customized to fit each customer's needs with quick turnaround and manufacturing flexibility and capacity.

About Aplus Flash Technology:
Aplus Flash Technology, Inc., was founded in 1998 as a fabless design company. Our founders, Peter W. Lee et al. are pioneers and leaders in nonvolatile memory (NVM) technology specializing in embedded NVM memory IP. Our product line includes memory products like ROM, OTP EPROM, NTP and EEPROM, with Flash under way. It also encompasses embedded designs such as ROM, OTP, NTP, EEPROM and MaxFlashTM embedded. Aplus' embedded licensees include leading global semiconductor companies and our foundry connections span worldwide in countries including Taiwan, Korea and China. For more information, please visit: www.aplusflash.com.

About SMIC:
SMIC is the first pure-play advanced IC foundry in China to achieve volume production for 8-inch wafers at 0.25-µm and finer line technologies. Established in April 2000, SMIC is a Cayman Islands company based in Shanghai. The foundry provides customers with a full range of services that include: design services, mask manufacturing, wafer fabrication as well as testing capabilities. For more information, please visit: www.smics.com.