DRAM Industry Unites in AMI2 to Accelerate New Technology Adoption.SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 1999--Companies Flock to Organization's Support, Goal is Collectively Accelerating Development of Complete DRAM Solutions Advanced Memory International Inc.(AMI2) has been created by 20 semiconductor memory and associated technology suppliers to provide industry leadership direction and confidence for users of new dynamic random-access memory (storage) dynamic random-access memory - (DRAM) A type of semiconductor memory in which the information is stored in capacitors on a MOS integrated circuit. Typically each bit is stored as an amount of electrical charge in a storage cell consisting of a capacitor and a transistor. (DRAM) technologies. The need for an organizational focus was unanimously agreed on at a meeting in San Jose, CA on April 9. AMI2 is comprised of all major DRAM suppliers and many DRAM infrastructure providers. The companies have agreed to work cooperatively in accelerating the time-to-market for new memory technologies. AMI2 will focus on bringing new DRAM systems to market in conjunction with JEDEC The division of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) that deals with semiconductor standards (officially, the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association of EIA). JEDEC was formed in 1958 when the Joint Electron Tube Engineering Council (JETEC) split into two Joint Electron Device Solid-State Technology Association standard-setting. The close relationship between AMI2 and JEDEC assures continuity from standards-setting through technology implementation and infrastructure development. "AMI2 will have a symbiotic relationship and work closely with the memory standards-setting efforts of JEDEC (a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance, {EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance, Arlington, VA, www.eia.org) A membership organization founded in 1924 as the Radio Manufacturing Association. It sets standards for consumer products and electronic components. })," said Desi desi Indian English Adjective indigenous or local Noun informal a person considered to be of South Asian origin [Hindi] Rhoden, newly appointed AMI2 president/CEO, current JEDEC board chair and JEDEC RAM committee chairman. "Industry response has been phenomenal given only the limited communication to date. Companies are beating the doors down to get involved with the organization. We're filling an industry void that has always existed and has occasionally been filled by OEMs when it was in their best interests." Other company officers include Gil Russell, technical marketing manager at Infineon Technologies, Cupertino, CA (formerly Siemens Semiconductor) as AMI2 vice president and Joseph Kostmayer as secretary and CFO See Chief Financial Officer. . The company is opening offices in Santa Clara County in May. The company Web site, www.ami2.com is under construction. The company's current efforts include finalizing PC133 introduction and accelerating Double Data-Rate SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) A type of dynamic RAM (DRAM) memory chip that has been widely used since the late 1990s. SDRAM chips eliminated wait states by dividing the chip into two cell blocks and interleaving data between them. adoption, which most memory suppliers are shipping or sampling. "DDR (Double Data Rate) Refers to an SDRAM memory chip that increases performance by doubling the effective data rate of the frontside bus. For more details, see SDRAM. DDR - Double Data Rate Random Access Memory is the new technology, so we're focusing on completing its infrastructure," Rhoden added. "AMI2 is also actively involved in developing the JEDEC specification for future DDR enhancements that will take us to the 4GB/sec. range in system performance. We are bringing system OEMs and the memory supplier communities together and creating the glue that helps both sides move as one. The industry is hungry for someone to coordinate the way to faster, better, cheaper memory solutions and with JEDEC, we will lead the way." Company Focus AMI2's role is coordinating and accelerating market adoption of new JEDEC-standard memory technology and facilitating the development of support devices such as , memory modules, connectors, controller chipsets, clock drivers, voltage regulators, buffers, manufacturing and test equipment. AMI2 was created out of the collective efforts of memory suppliers working together in support of a series of DDR forums. The success of these forums convinced participating companies to extend and formalize their cooperation. To speed its formation, AMI2 took over the legal framework originally established for SLDRAM (Synchronous Link DRAM) An enhanced version of SDRAM memory that uses a multiplexed bus to transfer data to and from the chips rather than fixed pin settings. Similar to Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), but not proprietary, SLDRAM never came to fruition. , Inc., which had completed its work. About Advanced Memory International Advanced Memory International, Inc. is an open, non-profit corporation with the objectives of cooperatively accelerating market adoption of open, cost-effective and complete DRAM technologies. AMI2's supporters include: DRAM industry leaders Fujitsu, Hitachi, Hyundai, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) Microelectronics, Infineon (formerly Siemens), LG Semicon, Micron, Mitsubishi, Mosaid , NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98). NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. , Samsung, Toshiba, Vanguard and associated memory technology companies. |
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