NSCore

What NSCore does

NSCore Inc. is a Fukuoka, Japan-based semiconductor intellectual property company founded in 2004 that licenses non-volatile memory (NVM) bit-cell technology to integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and fabless semiconductor companies. Its core technology uses an electron trap mechanism in a side-wall spacer and, at advanced nodes, a proprietary P-Channel Schottky Cell architecture, enabling embedded NVM functionality in standard CMOS processes without any additional masks or process steps. The company monetizes through IP licensing and design support services, with revenue streams structured as upfront license fees, royalties tied to customer chip shipments, and ancillary design/test/consulting services.

NSCore's product portfolio is organized around two platforms: PermSRAM, a one-time programmable (OTP) NVM macro covering 180nm to 22nm and beyond with memory densities from 64-bit to 512K-bit, and TwinBit, a multi-time programmable (MTP) family available in two generations — Gen-1 for 180nm to 55nm with >10K program/erase cycles, and Gen-2 for 40nm to 22nm using the Pch Schottky cell for ultra-low-power operation. An Ultra-Low-Power OTP+ variant at 40nm (1µA/MHz) targets energy-harvesting IoT, and an AEC-Q100 Grade-1 qualified MTP at 0.18µm targets automotive. The IP has been integrated into chips with cumulative production exceeding 300 million units by 2012, across licensees including ROHM, Kawasaki Microelectronics, Toppan Technical Design Center, Euphonic Technologies, and Wiliot.

The business operates an enterprise direct-sales model through its Fukuoka headquarters and Tokyo office, supplemented by regional sales representatives in North America (Spectral Design & Test), Taiwan (Kaviaz Technology), Korea (ChipInside), Israel, and France. Foundational certifications include TSMC IP9000 (2011) and IBM Ready for IBM Technology at 0.18µm (2010), and the company maintains an active presence at TSMC OIP Ecosystem Forums and other industry events. The IP estate comprises 30+ granted patents across the US, Japan, EU, and China.

Name

NSCore

Legal name

NSCore Inc.

Website

https://nscore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

NSCore Inc. is a Fukuoka, Japan-based semiconductor IP company founded in 2004 that licenses CMOS-compatible embedded non-volatile memory (PermSRAM OTP and TwinBit MTP) bit-cell technology to IDMs and fabless chip designers across 180nm to 22nm process nodes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor IP / Non-Volatile Memory IP

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Hardware/Chip Design IP Cores (Processor, Interface, Analog, Security) (HDAHAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

IP Enablement, Characterization & Porting Services (HDAHAFAI)

Keywords

• Non-volatile memory IP
• Embedded flash alternative
• Semiconductor IP licensing
• OTP MTP macros
• CMOS-compatible NVM

Headquarters

HQ city

Fukuoka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. IP Licensing: NSCore licenses its non-volatile memory IP including PermSRAM (OTP) and TwinBit (MTP) technologies. Customers receive complete packages of licenses, design parameters, macro databases, and foundry proven yield and reliability data.
2. Design Support Services: Provides design service, test service, and consulting to customers integrating NVM IP into their semiconductor products.
3. Patent Licensing: NSCore licenses its patented NVM technology including PermSRAM and TwinBit. The company holds 30+ patents in non-volatile memory technology.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NSCore develops and licenses non-volatile memory (NVM) intellectual property (IP) macros — PermSRAM (one-time programmable OTP) and TwinBit Gen-1 and Gen-2 (multi-time programmable MTP) — for foundry standard CMOS platforms from 180nm down to 22nm. The IP enables embedded NVM with no additional masks or process steps, supports 64-bit to 512K-bit densities, and includes an OTP+ variant optimized for ultra-low-power energy-harvesting IoT and an Automotive Grade-1 qualified MTP for 0.18um mixed-signal/BCD processes. Licensees receive complete IP packages including design parameters, macro databases, and foundry-proven yield and reliability data.

Product overview

NSCore is a non-volatile memory (NVM) intellectual property provider offering two main product lines: PermSRAM™ (One-Time Programmable OTP memory) and TwinBit™ (Multi-Time Programmable MTP memory). PermSRAM covers 180nm to 22nm process nodes with 64-bit to 512K-bit capacity. TwinBit™ Gen-1 serves 180nm to 55nm nodes with >10K endurance cycles, while TwinBit™ Gen-2 addresses advanced 40nm to 22nm nodes using Pch Schottky cell technology. Both product families are implemented using standard CMOS processes without additional masks or process steps, targeting IoT, automotive, MCU, and SoC applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PermSRAM: One-Time-Programmable (OTP) non-volatile memory macro for foundry standard CMOS platforms covering 180nm to 28nm and beyond process nodes.
• TwinBit
• TwinBit Gen-1
• TwinBit Gen-2

Products and services

• PermSRAM™ (OTP) One-time programmable (OTP) non-volatile memory macro available on foundry standard CMOS platforms from 180nm to 22nm and beyond. Supports memory sizes from 64-bit to 512K-bit with multi-page configuration and a hardware safety lock for security code storage. Implemented without additional masks or process steps and without a charge pump during read; targeted at security code storage, program storage, analog trimming, gamma correction, memory repair, feature selection, patch code, chip ID, DRM, and HDMI decode.
• TwinBit™ Gen-1 (MTP) Multi-time programmable (MTP) non-volatile memory macro for 180nm to 55nm process nodes with more than 10K program/erase cycle endurance. Supports 64-bit to 512K-bit memory densities and serves as a true electrically rewritable memory with no additional masks or process steps required; macro interface is compatible with PermSRAM for design portability.
• TwinBit™ Gen-2 (MTP) Next-generation multi-time programmable (MTP) non-volatile memory macro for 40nm to 22nm process nodes and beyond. Uses the newly developed Pch Schottky Non-Volatile Memory Cell to achieve ultra-low-power operations; like TwinBit Gen-1 it requires no additional masks or process steps, enabling embedded MTP on advanced planar nodes.
• OTP+ (Ultra-Low-Power OTP) — 40nm One-time-programmable-plus NVM macro newly developed in the 40nm-ULP process to address the IoT and energy-harvesting market. Achieves 1uA/MHz low-power operation and a small footprint (0.082mm² for a 1K x 39b configuration), can be re-programmed to address software changes late in product development, and minimizes the need for chip re-spin. Targeted at ultra-low-power wireless/IoT designs such as energy-harvesting Bluetooth chips.
• Automotive Grade-1 Qualified MTP — 0.18um AEC-Q100 Grade-1 qualified multi-time programmable (MTP) NVM macro in the 0.18um mixed-signal and BCD process flow. Supports 1K program/erase cycles (extendable to 10K) with 10+ year data retention and high-temperature operation, providing low-cost automotive-grade embedded NVM for control systems, infotainment, and driver assistance SoCs.
• MTP/OTP Memory Compiler (with Spectral Design & Test) Configurable OTP/MTP Memory Compiler solutions jointly offered with Spectral Design & Test Inc., combining SDT's Memory Development EDA platform with NSCore's silicon-proven NVM IP across 180nm to 22nm process nodes. Lets chip designers perform design and physical layout trade-offs when architecting new chips using NSCore's OTP and MTP macros.
• Design, Test and Consulting Services for NVM IP Integration Professional design service, test service, and consulting provided to customers integrating NSCore's PermSRAM and TwinBit IP into their semiconductor products. Delivered alongside the license package and complemented by foundry-proven reliability data.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% reduction in chip manufacturing cost compared to embedded Flash solutions
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WiliotcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 20 October 2021Wiliot selected NSCore's OTP+ solution for ultra-low power energy harvesting IoT products. Wiliot's VP of R&D stated that the extremely low-power operations and small footprint were critical for their products.
• Spectral Design & Test Inc. (SDT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2018Joint marketing agreement (JMA) for OTP/MTP solutions combining SDT's Memory Development EDA platform with NSCore's silicon-proven NVM IP. Partnership includes joint development, sales, marketing and service investments. SDT provides world-class expertise in creating configurable memory designs including SRAM/RF/ROM compilers. NSCore helps SDT expand footprint in Far East for Memory Compiler automation software.
• Toppan Technical Design Center (TDC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 April 2009TDC selected PermSRAM to enhance its OTP IP library. TDC is one of the largest turnkey servicers for semiconductor devices, enabling service users to benefit from PermSRAM IP without contracting directly with NSCore.
• Euphonic TechnologiesminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 16 March 2009Euphonic Technologies shipped EGC601 graphic controller LSI with embedded PermSRAM nonvolatile memory, enabling improvement of the chip's security.
• Kawasaki Microelectronics (K-micro)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 14 March 2008Licensing agreement adding NSCore's PermSRAM embedded logic nonvolatile memory technology to K-micro's ASIC IP portfolio. K-micro plans to offer PermSRAM to all customers including cost-sensitive consumer applications.
• ROHMcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 August 2007ROHM licensed PermSRAM technology for use throughout its logic products including Consumer, Communication and other applications. NSCore's PermSRAM enables high-performance embedded non-volatile memory solution in ROHM's SoC designs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Weebit Nano: Israel-listed emerging RRAM technology company licensing its ReRAM IP to foundries and IDMs/fabless customers; targets embedded NVM at advanced nodes (22nm and below) where it directly competes with NSCore's P-Channel Schottky Cell roadmap as an alternative non-charge-trap solution.
• Crossbar: RRAM technology company developing embedded memory IP for AI, IoT, and edge applications. Competes with NSCore at advanced process nodes with a different underlying memory mechanism (resistive switching vs. electron trap), targeting similar low-power embedded NVM use cases.
• Everspin Technologies: MRAM technology leader offering discrete and embedded MRAM (STT-MRAM) products and IP; competes with NSCore in the broader embedded NVM market through a different underlying technology, targeting industrial, automotive, and IoT applications at nodes where MRAM is qualified.
• Avalanche Technology: MRAM technology company offering Spin Transfer Torque MRAM (STT-MRAM) IP and products for industrial, automotive, aerospace, and IoT applications; an emerging alternative in the embedded NVM space targeting similar high-reliability, low-power use cases where NSCore's OTP+/MTP competes.

Broad incumbents

• Synopsys: Largest semiconductor IP vendor; DesignWare portfolio includes NVM IP (OTP, MTP, eFlash, emerging RRAM) qualified across all major foundries. Overlaps with NSCore in OTP/MTP NVM IP but as part of a much broader IP and EDA portfolio, with superior foundry coverage and customer relationships.
• Arm: Through Artisan physical IP and partnerships, Arm offers NVM/embedded memory IP and compilers for advanced SoC and MCU designs. Massive installed base and global reach make Arm a broad incumbent alternative to NSCore, particularly for fabless customers standardizing on Arm cores.

Regional players

• Tower Semiconductor: Specialty foundry offering embedded Flash, EEPROM, and NVM process technologies (including 0.18um and BCD platforms); competes with NSCore by providing foundry-integrated NVM solutions at specialty nodes relevant for analog/mixed-signal and IoT designs — an alternative to third-party IP licensing.

Direct peers

• eMemory Technology: Taiwan-based leading provider of embedded non-volatile memory IP (NeoBit OTP, NeoEE, NeoMTP, NeoFlash) — directly competes with NSCore's PermSRAM and TwinBit in OTP/MTP NVM IP licensing for MCU, SoC, and consumer/IoT designs, with comparable licensing business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NSCore