eMemory & PUFsecurity Announce with UMC the World’s First PUF-based Secure Embedded Flash Solution
Hsinchu Taiwan, December 10, 2020 - eMemory and its subsidiary, PUFsecurity, and United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC; TWSE: 2303) ("UMC"), a leading global semiconductor foundry, announced today the successful joint development of the world’s first PUF (Physical Unclonable Function)-based secure embedded flash solution. PUFsecurity’s PUFflash integrates eMemory’s NeoPUF into UMC’s 55nm embedded flash technology platforms to deliver a secure embedded flash. PUFflash enhances the security of embedded flash applications with its built-in, PUF-based Root of Trust (PUFrt), while maintaining the access speed of the embedded flash.
Working with PUFsecurity, eMemory now offers complete business service and technical solutions. “PUFsecurity's digital design of PUFflash has simplified the combination of PUF and embedded flash” said Michael Ho, Vice President of Business Development at eMemory. “With the development of PUFflash, we have provided customers an integrated security solution for encrypting and protecting the data in the flash”
"eMemory and PUFsecurity’s PUFflash is a welcome resource for our embedded Flash customers wishing to customize their ICs to serve IoT and other markets that require robust security features," said T H Lin, Division Director of IP Development & Design Support at UMC. "We are pleased at the results of this IP collaboration and successful verification on our 55nm ULP eFlash technology platform, as these processes are specifically engineered to address the performance and ultra-low power requirements of IoT applications."
"PUFflash increases the security of MCU and SoC embedded NVM storage, protecting user data and critical firmware assets” said Evans Yang, Executive Vice President at PUFsecurity. “PUFflash can also safeguard a product’s supply chain by preventing counterfeiters from copying chips, thus making product life cycle management easier.”
UMC has already engaged with dozens of customers for its cost effective 55ULP (Ultra Low Power) eFlash platform in multiple segments including MCU, chipcard, consumer and automotive.
