Bristol-based semiconductor design tool firm Pulsic has licensed its physical design technology to flash memory firm Saifun Semiconductors.
 

Saifun will use Pulsic’s Unity design tool technology for non-volatile memory (NVM) designs and IP based on its NROM technology.

“After carrying out a detailed evaluation, we chose the Pulsic solution as we believe it will provide us with significant productivity gains in relation to our unique and innovative NROM memory IP,” said Yoram Betser, v-p of design for Saifun.

In memory chips design rules and topologies can be tough, and Unity can be used to automate the process.  

“Pulsic is the only EDA vendor focused on providing dedicated solutions in the memory market, and our link-up with Saifun is a good, strategic fit for both parties,” said Ken Roberts, CEO at Pulsic.

Last week, Saifun was acquired by Spansion, which was already its partner in the development of the Mirrorbit flash memory technology.

Since 2002, Spansion has been a licensee of Saifun's NROM technology used in MirrorBit technology which represents nearly a quarter of the NOR flash memory segment, generating annual revenues of nearly $2bn.

Pulsic was founded in January 2000 and is a privately held company, headquartered in Bristol, UK.