Automation of Memory Scrambling Checker and Evaluation of Memory Characterization Flow Tools

Abstract

Semiconductor Memories are circuits that store digital information in large quantity, hence are vital subsystem in modern integrated circuits. The ever-increasing demand for low priced memories with low power consumption, high speed operation, high density and small package size has driven the fabrication technology and memory development towards more compact design rules and consequently towards higher data storage densities. The objective is to study the architecture, working and characterization of SRAM memory and also to automate the memory scrambling checker. Memory Scrambling Checker (MSC) calculates the scrambling equations of memory. There is difference between logical and actual locations of memory cells in memory. So to validate both addresses, MSC is used. It gives the coordinates of particular memory cell in output file. MSC was having some bugs while running at higher word, bit combinations. So bug fixing was required. Characterization of memory means to get information about its behavior in terms of different timing (access time, setup time, hold time etc.), power (dynamic, static and leakage) and capacitances. This helps in evaluating the performance of memory and improves upon the design. The tool used for characterization is Memory characterization flow (MCF). Also the vendor has proposed a new tool, so ST is checking its reliability against its own tool to reduce the efforts of its engineers.