Recommended Free Tools
Toshiba’s September 29, 2003 announcement identifies National Semiconductor as one of the companies to which Silicon Storage Technology (SST) had licensed its SuperFlash technology. That is evidence National was a licensee, but it is a retrospective mention in Toshiba’s announcement—not National’s contract or a direct announcement from National. The available source does not establish when National signed, which process node it used, what the commercial terms were, or which products incorporated the technology.
What the 2003 announcement says about National
Toshiba’s Japanese-language announcement dated September 29, 2003 says SST had licensed SuperFlash to a list of manufacturers that includes “ナショナルセミコンダクター” (National Semiconductor). The announcement concerns Toshiba’s own agreement, so National appears as a historical licensee named in passing, not as the subject of the deal. Toshiba’s September 29, 2003 announcement
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
2pcs W29N02GVSIAA packaged TSOP-48 NAND FLASH flash memory chip | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
That distinction sets the limit of what can be stated confidently: the source supports the licensee claim, but it does not describe National’s individual arrangement. It provides no National-specific license date, process node, commercial terms, or product list.
Do not attribute Toshiba’s process details to National
Toshiba’s announcement describes its separate agreement as covering 0.5-micron SuperFlash for embedded-flash microcontrollers. That node and application belong to Toshiba’s agreement; the announcement does not say National used the same process or targeted the same products.
#1 Best Overall
What a SuperFlash process license involves
SST describes SuperFlash as its proprietary split-gate NOR flash technology. Its current Process License page says SST licenses the technology directly to integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and foundries. SST says the transfer supplies specific technology knowledge and documentation to help install SuperFlash in a particular logic platform and process; its stated materials include SPICE models, and it says existing process design rules remain unchanged. This is a description of SST’s present licensing approach, not evidence of the terms or technical scope of National’s historical license.
SST is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip Technology. Its corporate overview describes a broader licensing landscape that also includes fabless semiconductor companies.
How the National mention fits into SuperFlash’s later history
Later company announcements document other license relationships and manufacturing milestones. They help place the National reference in context, but they do not add details to National’s own agreement.
| Source and date | What it reports | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Toshiba, September 29, 2003 | Names National Semiconductor among SST SuperFlash licensees; separately describes Toshiba’s 0.5-micron agreement for embedded-flash microcontrollers. | Retrospective licensee evidence for National; process and application details apply only to Toshiba. Source |
| TSMC, 2005 | Reports an expansion of its embedded-flash agreement with SST to 130 nanometers and says nearly 100 TSMC customers had used SST flash technology in manufacturing since the initial 1997 license. | TSMC’s reported agreement and customer history, not National’s. Source |
| Microchip Technology, 2016 | Reports that more than 75 billion semiconductor devices had shipped with embedded SuperFlash. | A company-reported shipment milestone across embedded SuperFlash, not a National product count. Source |
| SST and UMC, January 2026 | Announce production release of embedded SuperFlash Gen 4 on UMC’s 28HPC+ platform with Automotive Grade 1 capability. | A current platform milestone; it does not describe National’s historical implementation. Source |
The later dates and figures are reported by the companies named, rather than independently verified here. They show the technology’s broader licensing and deployment history, not the missing details of National’s license.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhat remains unknown about National’s agreement
Without the original National/SST agreement or a direct National announcement, the available evidence cannot answer the most specific questions about the deal. In particular, it does not establish:
Quick Recap
- the date or duration of National’s license;
- the process node or fabrication platform covered;
- fees, royalties, or other commercial terms; or
- which National products, if any, used licensed SuperFlash.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
