<<The key SDRAM patent covers a "programmable register" for determining memory latency. This is one of the registers found on all SDRAM chips. It has been frequently mentioned in Rambus press releases and conference calls.
The programmable register allows the CAS latency to be set by the system it is being used in. This is a useful technique because not all memories sort at the same speed out of the fab.
Prior to SDRAM, many EDO systems had a similar register on board the memory controller, which served the same purpose. Since SDRAM is synchronous (has a clock input on the DRAM chips), it was a fairly small logical step to move the same register on board the SDRAM chips.
This seems to be what Rambus is claiming as their IP. Had it been known that Rambus wanted royalties for this, none of the DRAM manufacturers would have put the register on board. Instead they would have kept the register in the memory controller and run an extra wire across the interface.
This appears to be a submarine patent, and has lots of people very pissed off. If Rambus was smart, they would concentrate on DDR, and lay off the SDRAM claims IMHO.>>
Zeev - In Europe does it matter whether or not a patent is a submarine patent or not?
Scumbria - If all it takes is to move a wire, why not do it now?
And if it was so logical why wasn't it there initially (as implied by your "it was a fairly small logical step to move the same register on board the SDRAM chips", sentence.
Finally, RMBS is asking a mere 1% for SDRAM. This is hardly significant to anyone (and do not go into profit margins I know they are low- all they do is raise price a mere 1%). I believe but can not prove, that if the MMs gave into RMBS's demands on DDR initially, and ramped up RDRAM even a little, the SDRAM might not have come up.
When someone fights you too hard and tries to steal your IP, maybe you have to ask for more than you deserve just to get what you do deserve. If everyone caves in now, well too late. |
