To all: I have invested in both RMBS and Smart Modular. Is the press release below one of the standard Rambus license press releases (as with the many that they and their licensees have been issuing lately) or is it more of a partnership/supplier? Can anyone elaborate/differentiate?
Also are there any semi experts in the audience that can comment on the current rumors of oversupply in the DRAM market. Is this situation as bad as the last debacle when Micron went from $96 to$18?
Thanks in advance!
Tuesday September 30 8:28 AM EDT
Company Press Release
SMART Modular Technologies to Provide Direct Rambus RIMM Memory Modules
Advanced Modules Will Support Powerful New PC Systems in 1999
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1997--Rambus Inc. and SMART
Modular Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMOD) jointly announced that SMART
will design, manufacture and sell memory modules for forthcoming Direct
Rambus DRAMs. Also known as RIMMs, the modules will play a critical role
in providing requisite industry support to realize the benefits of
Direct Rambus for PC main memory starting in 1999.
SMART RIMMs will be 100% compatible with the Rambus RIMM specification.
''SMART's expertise and history in module design, engineering, surface
mount technology, test, and logistics provide a strong complement to
Rambus Inc.'s technology expertise,'' said Subodh Toprani, Vice
President at Rambus Inc. ''SMART's support of Direct Rambus is an
important sign that system makers will have a strong supply of RIMM
memory modules.''
Development of Rambus-based modules at SMART will be built on a
foundation of expertise including use of simulation for signal
integrity, 100 MHz module design, high speed SDRAM SMT lines (SDRAM
modules generally require three times as many placements for the same
density as FPM or EDO modules), complete family of SDRAM modules, 330
MHz test capability, Arimid based PCBs, use of micro ball grid array
packages, and manufacturing capacity in California, Puerto Rico, and
Scotland.
Samples of Direct Rambus DRAMS are expected to be available in 1998,
with volume production in 1999.
According to Mukesh Patel, Vice President and General Manager of SMART's
Memory Products Division, this relationship should position SMART to
design, manufacture, and test any type of Rambus memory module that may
be required by its OEM customers in the foreseeable future. ''With the
support of Intel's main memory roadmap,'' said Patel, ''coupled to the
technology force of the world's top DRAM manufacturers, each licensed by
Rambus, Direct RDRAM devices are expected to be a dominant successor to
synchronous DRAM in the 1999 timeframe and beyond.''
Direct RDRAMs currently ship in volume in video game systems, add-in PC
graphics cards, graphics workstations and consumer PCs from Gateway 2000
and Micron Electronics. Rambus technology enables high-bandwidth,
low-pin count devices to use conventional fabrication processes,
packaging, and PCB designs to develop low-cost compact systems. The
Rambus interface can be supported with 32Mb, 64Mb, 246Mb, and 1Gb DRAM
densities.
Patel noted that, ''Memory module suppliers who are not making necessary
investments to acquire the expertise, equipment, and manufacturing
capacity for on-time delivery of cutting-edge product may not survive
into the next century. A main requirement will be RIMM technology and
capacity. As a leader in memory-module technology, SMART is pleased that
Rambus has selected our company to be a partner in that development.''
SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer
of specialty and standard memory modules, Flash memory cards, high
performance embedded computer modules, as well as communication card
solutions. SMART offers more than 500 products to leading OEMs in the
computer, networking, and telecommunications industries. SMART has
manufacturing facilities in California, Puerto Rico, and Scotland, a
design center in India and sales organizations worldwide. More
information on SMART can be obtained on the Internet at
smartm.com .
Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), based in Mountain View, Calif., develops and
licenses high-speed memory-interface technology that enables
semiconductor memory devices to keep pace with faster generations of
processors and controllers. Providers of Rambus-based integrated
circuits include the world's leading DRAM, ASIC and PC controller
manufacturers. Even while delivering higher performance, Rambus
technology enables low pin-count, high-bandwidth components to use
conventional integrated circuit fab processing, packaging and printed
circuit-board designs that result in low-cost, compact systems. More
information on Rambus Inc. and its high-bandwidth memory-interface
technology is available at rambus.com .
The first, fifth and sixth paragraphs of this press release contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could differ materially
from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of
certain factors including without limitation engineering, production,
market acceptance, material availability and/or technical problems in
getting the Direct Rambus DRAMs to market or to market dominance in the
1999 timeframe and beyond. art Modular and have a question. Is the press release below simply one of the "this company has licensed Rambus technology" like many other releases or is it more. Can anyone comment?
Thanks in advance! |
