A proven qualification methodology for embedded CMOS memory compilers

CMOS memory compilers become more and more the standard offer to fit customer needs for embedded applications. In order to select, verify, characterize and qualify such CMOS memory compilers, we have developed a complete and generic methodology. First step consists of the evaluation and the selection of the most relevant compilers. Then, we proceed to pre-silicon verifications and post-silicon characterization tests. Silicon characterization is a key step in the proposed methodology and is based on fabrication and test of a representative vehicle. Our approach has been proven on silicon for several technology nodes and process options, with different memory compiler providers. Some silicon results of our 130nm memory compilers are shown in this paper.