LOS ALTOS, Calif., Jun 23, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), one of the world's premier technology
licensing companies specializing in high-speed memory architectures,
today showcased a silicon demonstration of a complete XDR(TM) memory system
running at data rates up to 7.2Gbps with superior power efficiency. This
silicon demonstration consists of Elpida's recently-announced 1Gb XDR
DRAM device and an XIO memory controller transmitting realistic data
patterns. The XIO memory controller is up to 3.5 times more power
efficient than a GDDR5 controller, and the total memory system can
provide up to two times more bandwidth than GDDR5 at equivalent power.
In addition, the XIO memory controller demonstrated bi-modal operation
with support for both XDR DRAM as well as next-generation XDR2 DRAM.
"Future graphics and multi-core processors require significantly higher
memory performance under extremely challenging power and thermal
constraints," said Martin Scott, senior vice president of Research and
Technology Development at Rambus. "This technology demonstration
highlights the outstanding power efficiency of the XDR and XDR2 memory
architectures at performance levels from 3.2 to 7.2Gbps with scalability
to well over 10Gbps."
This silicon demonstration, shown at Denali MemCon 2009 in San Jose, is
the first implementation supporting the XDR memory architecture roadmap
incorporating innovations developed as part of Rambus' Terabyte
Bandwidth Initiative. Implemented in the bi-modal XIO memory controller
for XDR2 operation, these innovations include:
-
Fully Differential Memory Architecture (FDMA) - enhances signal
integrity and increases performance through point-to-point
differential signaling of clock, data, and command/address (C/A), an
industry first;
-
FlexLink(TM) C/A - reduces pin count and increases scalability; and
-
Enhanced FlexPhase(TM) - enables the world's highest memory signaling
rates while simplifying routing and board design.
In addition, the XDR2 memory architecture includes:
-
Micro-threading of the DRAM core - introduced by Rambus in early 2005,
increases data transfer efficiency and reduces power consumption; and
-
16X Data Rate - allows for extremely high data rates with the use of a
relatively low-speed system clock.
Built on these innovations, an XDR2 memory system can provide memory
bandwidths of over 500GB/s to an SoC. A single 4Byte-wide, 9.6Gbps XDR2
DRAM device can deliver up to 38.4GB/s of peak bandwidth, and the XDR2
architecture supports a roadmap to device bandwidths of over 50GB/s.
With these capabilities, the XDR and XDR2 memory architectures are
scalable across a broad range of performance appropriate for multi-core
computing, graphics, gaming, and consumer electronics. The XDR memory
architecture has already been adopted in products including the Sony
PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, DLP(R) projectors, Teradici
PC-over-IP computing systems, and Toshiba's Qosmio(R) laptop PCs and HDTV
chip sets.
About Rambus Inc.
Rambus is one of the world's premier technology licensing companies
specializing in the invention and design of high-speed memory
architectures. Since its founding in 1990, the Company's patented
innovations, breakthrough technologies and renowned integration
expertise have helped industry-leading chip and system companies bring
superior products to market. Rambus' technology and products solve
customers' most complex chip and system-level interface challenges
enabling unprecedented performance in computing, communications and
consumer electronics applications. Rambus licenses both its world-class
patent portfolio as well as its family of leadership and
industry-standard interface products. Headquartered in Los Altos,
California, Rambus has regional offices in North Carolina, India,
Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. Additional information is available at www.rambus.com.
RMBSTN
Rambus has issued and/or pending patent applications relevant to
technologies discussed in this press release.
SOURCE: Rambus Inc.
Rambus Public Relations
Linda Ashmore, 650-947-5411
lashmore@rambus.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009