cw:
It seems that Toshiba is concentrating on 256 MBit DRAM. All types of the 256 MBit DRAM will have central feature of transfer of data on rising and falling edges of clock cycle. I guess Rambus convinced Toshiba if they planned to make any form of double data rate DRAM they better have a corresponding RMBS license for it.
Mr. Cataldo very specifically points out this double data rate situation. It is refreshing to have an reporter who accurately states the future direction of memory technology trends. Technology laggards like Micron and Hyundai, who have very large stake in 128 Mbit PC100 and PC133 commodity SDRAM, object loudly through industry mouthpieces like Jackass Robertson.
IMO this article reiterates the difficulties DDR DRAM manufacturers will have to avoid RMBS non-RDRAM license unless they have strong IP or prior art documented.
john
eetimes.com
Toshiba readies double-date-rate 256-Mbit DRAMs
By Anthony Cataldo
EE Times
(07/18/00, 4:44 p.m. EST)
TOKYO — Toshiba Corp. is preparing a shift from 128-Mbit to 256-Mbit DRAM technology with a trio of product families that use the double-data-rate clocking method. The new DRAMs will coincide with Toshiba's move to 0.175-micron CMOS process technology.
The product offering reflects the company's strategy of taking an early start on high-performance, high-density DRAMs while minimizing production of DRAMs that are also being made by its competitors. Currently the company produces 9.5 million 128-Mbit synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) and Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) devices a month, while 64-Mbit production is being held at 1 million per month.
Overall, Toshiba intends to keep its DRAM unit production volume stable, increasing slightly from about 22 million 64-Mbit equivalent units today to about 23 million by the end of the year when the new products and process technology come on stream. The additional output will come from process technology improvements or production efficiencies, and will require no additional investment, a company spokesman said.
The new 256-Mbit lineup includes double-data-rate (DDR) SDRAMs, fast-cycle DRAMs (FCRAMs) and RDRAMs. Each supports the double-data-rate transfer mode in which data is transferred on both the rising and falling edges of a clock cycle.
Some consider DDR SDRAM to be the next step after standard SDRAMs, because it is based on similar core and interface technology. Toshiba is sampling nine types of DDR SDRAM, varying by configuration, clock speed, data transfer speed and latency. Data transfer rates range from 286 Mbits/second (143 MHz) to 200 Mbits/s (125 MHz), while column-address strobe (CAS) latency is either 2 or 2.5.
Backed by Intel as the next-generation PC main memory, Toshiba's RDRAMs will be offered in 800-, 711- and 600-MHz speed grades. The RDRAMs are available in both x16 and x18 configurations, with error correction. Toshiba's 256-Mbit generation RDRAMs must still be submitted to Intel for evaluation and validation, the spokesman said.
Toshiba's FCRAMs will be offered in data-mask and variable-write function types. Various versions will sport x4, x8 or x16 configurations, data transfer rates of 308 (154 MHz) to 250 Mbits/s (125 MHz), and CAS latency of either 3.0 or 2.0.
Sample prices are $120 for the DDR SDRAM, $150 for RDRAM and $200 for FCRAM. Toshiba said it is still too early to determine production quantity prices. Volume production is scheduled to begin in December. |
