Embedded flash on a CMOS logic process enables secure hardware encryption for deep submicron designs

The rapid growth of electronic circuits used in consumer, networking, communications, industrial and other applications, combined with the rising need for design and applications security and digital rights management (digital content protection) are driving the need for small amounts of embedded flash memory. In order to ensure maximum security, smallest size, lowest power and minimum cost, this memory must be embedded on the actual system-on-chip (SoC). In order to accomplish this, the flash must be manufacturable on a standard CMOS logic process with no special mask or process steps