Sidense OTP Preferred by MV Silicon for Their Audio Device ICs

OTTAWA, CANADA--(Marketwired - Sep 9, 2013) -  Sidense Corp., a leading developer of Logic Non-Volatile Memory (LNVM) OTP IP cores, today announced that Mountain View Silicon Technology (MV Silicon), a supplier of ICs used in a broad range of audio applications, has chosen Sidense 1T-Fuse™-based 1T-OTP memory IP for use in its ICs for processing, conversion and amplification in audio devices.

MV Silicon is employing Sidense SiPROM one-time programmable (OTP) 256Kbit macros at the 130nm and 110 process nodes. The non-volatile memory (NVM) is used for programmable storage of customer data and code in audio devices such as MP3 players.

"We chose Sidense for our one-time programmable memory because of its high reliability and excellent data retention properties," said Xu Gang, MV Silicon's VP of R&D. "These qualities are very important, particularly for our automotive customers."

In a Business Monitor International report from May of 2012, China's consumer electronics devices market was around $200B in 2012 and was expected to increase to $289.7B by 2016. Audio/Video devices, including devices with MP3 play capability, accounted for about 39% of China's consumer electronics spending in 2011 and the country's domestic video, audio and gaming device market was projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% between 2012 and 2016, up to a value of $112.1B. This growth presents an excellent opportunity for audio device manufacturers, such as MV Silicon, and for companies such as Sidense who supply silicon IP to those manufacturers.

"China's consumer entertainment market requires devices that are low cost and very reliable," added Tom Schild, VP of Worldwide Sales and Marketing at Sidense. "Our programmable OTP memory macros do not add any extra cost to the IC manufacturing process, allowing MV Silicon to offer its customers high-quality audio device ICs at very competitive prices."

Sidense SiPROM OTP macros cover a broad range of process nodes -- from 130nm down to 55nm. Densities up to 512 Kbits per macro are available and multiple macros can be used for higher memory capacity, making SiPROM an ideal and field-programmable replacement for masked ROM and, in certain applications, external Flash memory. Designers can choose between four read modes to trade off memory density, read access time, enhanced reliability and enhanced security, and different read modes may be combined in the same macro.

SiPROM macros contain a built-in charge pump, which provides the voltage necessary to program the memory in the field after the chip is packaged. Alternately, programming voltage may be supplied externally through a pad on the chip.

About Sidense Corp.
Sidense Corp. provides very dense, highly reliable and secure non-volatile one-time programmable (OTP) Logic Non-Volatile Memory (LNVM) IP for use in standard-logic CMOS processes. The Company, with over 115 patents granted or pending, licenses OTP memory IP based on its innovative one-transistor 1T-Fuse™ bit cell, which does not require extra masks or process steps to manufacture. Sidense 1T-OTP macros provide a better field-programmable, reliable and cost-effective solution than flash, mask ROM, eFuse and other embedded and off-chip NVM technologies for many code storage, encryption key, analog trimming and device configuration uses.

Over 100 companies, including many of the top fabless semiconductor manufacturers and IDMs, have adopted Sidense 1T-OTP as their NVM solution for more than 300 designs. Customers are realizing outstanding savings in solution cost and power consumption along with better security and reliability for applications ranging from mobile and consumer devices to high-temperature, high-reliability automotive and industrial electronics. The IP is offered at and supported by all top-tier semiconductor foundries and selected IDMs. Sidense is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada with sales offices worldwide. For more information, please visit www.sidense.com.

About MV Silicon
Headquartered in Shanghai, Mountain View Silicon Technology Co Ltd., or MV Silicon, is a fabless IC Design company that delivers innovative and highly-integrated SOC for audio application. MV Silicon was founded by experienced veterans from Silicon Valley in 2005 and was the first company in China and now the global leader to develop and deliver highly-integrated HOST MP3/WMA IC products that are used in car stereo, family or mini-audio, boombox, broadcasting and many other applications. MV Silicon has operations in Shanghai and Shenzhen.