Embedded memory: a key to high performance system VLSIs

Abstract

Embedded Memory: A Key to High Performance System VLSIs (Invited) Tetsuya Iizuka Semiconductor Device Engineering Laboratory Toshiba Corporation 1-Komukai-toshiba, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki 210 JapanOwing to a rapid progress in Si-technology, current high performance system VLSIs can afford a large embedded memory on chip, which provides i) wide memory band width, ii) dedicated memory architecture for application, iii) small chip count and compact system, and better system speed scalability along with Si-technology scaling. The trade off between performance and cost is still a major issue. The strategies for technology integration and design methodologies are discussed as well as testing and yield issues. Some of the examples of current embedded memory developments in several representative categories are presented.