FWIW, this is "old" news but was never posted...
UMC FOUNDRY SERVICES AVAILABLE TO RAMBUS CHIP CUSTOMERS
Sunnyvale, Calif.--January 18, 1999--UMC Group announced today that it is the first semiconductor foundry to expand its services to controller chip product developers that utilize Rambus¡¦ memory interface--the Direct Rambus ASIC Cell (RAC). Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS) today also announced it has successfully fabricated the RAC in the form of test chips on UMC¡¦s 0.25 micron process.
Dave Mooring, vice president and general manager for Rambus' PC Division commented, "Rambus¡¦ chipset and memory controller customers can now take advantage of UMC's rich offering of design kits, libraries and system-on-chip technology as our Direct Rambus ASIC Cell targets UMC¡¦s 0.25 micron process."
Jim Ballingall, vice president of worldwide marketing for UMC Group (USA) said, ¡§UMC Group is committed to offering the most comprehensive set of high value IP libraries in the industry. Accordingly, we are pleased to offer the RAC as this interface expands our IP capabilities and enables our customers to more readily integrate memory components into their designs. Moreover, we expect that the RAC will be a primary interface for PC chipsets in 1999 and beyond.¡¨
The test chips containing the RAC have been fully characterized by Rambus. The chips meet Rambus¡¦ specifications and will support 800 MHz memory system operation.
Targetted for UMC's foundry customers, the Direct RAC delivers 1.6 gigabytes per sec over 72-pin interface, and is ideally suited for chipset and desktop multimedia. Developed in conjunction with Intel Corp. and in cooperation with DRAM and other semiconductor partners, the Direct Rambus interface achieves its unprecedented performance through electrical and architectural innovations.
System applications for Direct Rambus technology include computers, multimedia and graphics, communications and consumer electronics. Currently, over 50 companies are committed to delivering Direct Rambus technology within their products; including 14 DRAM manufacturers (supplying more than 96% of the worldwide DRAM market); 20 logic IC suppliers, including Intel Corp.; and 25 companies representing the leaders in system-memory implementation products (including memory modules, connectors, clock chips and test systems).
Availability
The Rambus Direct RAC is part of UMC¡¦s Gold IP program, meaning it is already being used by UMC customers. Customers that are seeking the Direct RAC must license it from Rambus.
About UMC Group
UMC Group is a world leading semiconductor foundry group consisting of United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), United Semiconductor Corp. (USC), United Integrated Circuits Corp. (UICC), United Silicon, Inc. (USIC), UTEK Semiconductor Corp. (UTEK), and the first dedicated foundry in Japan, Nippon Foundry Inc. (NFI). The group leads the dedicated foundry industry in value-added design support with its Gold IP (superscript: TM) program. In 1998, UMC Group's L250 (0.25um) and L220 (0.22um) process technologies set the foundry industry benchmark for production volumes, capacity and yields in very deep sub-micron technology. In 1999, UMC Group will have production-ready 0.18um (L180) and copper-interconnect technology. The UMC Group Silicon Shuttle (superscript: SM) test-chip program enables library vendors, IP vendors and foundry customers to verify their designs in silicon at low or no cost. UMC Group companies are headquartered in Taiwan, with marketing and customer support offices located in the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands. UMC Group (U.S.A.) offices are located at 788 Palomar Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, tel. (408) 733-8881, fax (408) 733-8090.
About Rambus Inc.
Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS), based in Mountain View, Calif., develops and licenses high-speed chip-to-chip 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. Currently, eight of the world's top-10 semiconductor companies license Rambus technology and seven of the world's top PC makers have shipped systems using the technology. More information on Rambus Inc. and its high-bandwidth interface technology is available at rambus.com.
Rambus, RDRAM and the Rambus logo are registered trademarks of Rambus Inc. Direct Rambus, Direct RDRAM are trademarks of Rambus Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
UMC Group -- Alex Hinnawi, (408) 523-0903, alex.hinnawi@umc-usa.com
KJ Communications -- Eileen Elam (650) 917-1488, kjcom_e@compuserve.com
Rambus -- Julie Cates (65) 944-7725, cates@rambus.com
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