IDT announces new category of SRAM; industry's first synchronous Dual-Port SRAM family.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 1997--Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDTI) today announced the industry's first synchronous Dual-Port SRAM family (see table).

The new devices will be used in a wide variety of applications including networking (e.g., hubs, routers, switches), telecommunications (e.g., PBXs, cellular base stations), voice recognition, multimedia and graphics.

The new synchronous devices from Integrated Device Technology (IDT) are important because they allow pipelined operations which can achieve greater performance when transferring bursts of data, and they reduce design time by attaching easily to synchronous DSPs, ASICs, microprocessors and controllers. The new devices are also available in flow-through versions which are ideal for fast random access to individual memory locations and quick transitions from write to read operations.

"Our new family of devices was created in response to a growing trend in the use of synchronous interfaces on DSPs and microprocessors," said Carl May, IDT's specialty memory products marketing manager. "As processors push the envelope for greater speed, the synchronous interface is emerging as a simple and fast way to move data in and out of their attached memories."

IDT's new family of synchronous Dual-Port SRAMs is a highly integrated solution that will reduce manufacturing costs, reduce design time and eliminate the frustration for designers who have had to implement synchronous functionality using asynchronous devices. Such modifications require a significant increase in design time and up to a dozen extra chips including registers, timing circuits and clock generators.

Easy Design

The synchronous interface between IDT's new dual-port memories has been optimized for easy design and limited intervention from the processor.

For example, during a synchronous write operation, the processor needs only to apply the address and data to the chip for a few nanoseconds (5ns), then it is free to move on to other operations. On the other hand, conventional memory interfaces require a processor's attention until the memory has finished storing data (up to 35ns) in asynchronous devices of similar density.

Reading from a synchronous memory is also simple. For instance, in the case of a burst read, the processor doesn't have to repeatedly apply an address. Only an initial address is loaded, and from that point the address is incremented on each clock edge as data moves through the output registers.

Family Specifications

The new family consists of four 512Kbit devices and two 256Kbit devices, available in x16 and x8 configurations. Both the 512Kbit and 256Kbit devices can output data as fast as 12ns (max), which is known as the clock to data access time. These-high speed accesses can take place simultaneously on both ports of the device.

All devices operate from a single 5V power supply and consume 190mA (typical) of current in an active state, and 1mA (typical) of current in standby. Versions of the devices that operate at 3.3V are scheduled for release in late Q2 1997.

Synchronous Advantages

The synchronous functionality of IDT's new dual-port devices is important because it relieves attached processors from having to hold control signals for extended periods and maximizes performance for the target application. Simultaneously clocked input and output registers enable new data to be moved through input registers at the same instant that data retrieved in the previous cycle moves through the chip's output registers (diagram 1).

When used for burst read operations (diagram 2), the new memories achieve high performance by eliminating the need to generate new addresses for each clock cycle. The starting address is initially loaded, then an internal counter is automatically incremented on each rising clock edge at the same time that data requested in the previous cycle is output. A similar sequence is also followed for burst write operations, except that data is input (i.e., written) into memory.

Dual-Port Advantages

The dual-port structure of IDT's new memories allows the entire contents of these devices to be read from both memory ports simultaneously without the delays associated with multiplexing data into a single ported chip. Dual-ported shared memories are used in many applications. For example, in multi-processor applications such as multiple DSPs, the result from one processor is loaded into memory, while an earlier result is accessed by another processor. This ability to do two things at once makes the chips useful as buffers in networking applications where an incoming stream of data is stored while at the same time a previously stored block of data is processed.

Flow-Through Version

The new synchronous Dual-Port SRAMs are available in flow-through versions that do not use registers on their outputs. This architecture is more efficient in applications that need fast random access to individual memory locations, and quick transitions from write-to-read operations. -0-

Pricing and Availability

Device   Size    Configuration  Speed  Price   Samples  Production

709279  512Kbit     32Kx16      12ns   $49.75    Now       Now
70927   512Kbit     32Kx16      25ns   $39.75    Now       Now
709089  512Kbit     64Kx8       12ns   $47.95    May       May
70908   512Kbit     64Kx8       25ns   $38.35    May       May
709269  256Kbit     16Kx16      12ns   $31.35    May       May
709079  256Kbit     32Kx8       12ns   $29.95    May       May

-0-

Note: Prices are in 100-piece quantities for the 100-pin, thin quad flat package (TQFP) with the commercial temperature range (0 degrees C to 70 degrees C). The 709279/70927 devices are also available in 108-pin pin grid array (PGA) packages. The 709089/70908 devices are also available in 84-pin PGA packages. Industrial temperature screening (-40 degrees C to 85 degrees C) is available upon request.

Electronic Media Program

Information about IDT and its products is easily accessible through IDT's comprehensive electronic media program, which includes free CD-ROMs by calling 800/345-7015, a Home Page on the World Wide Web (http://www.idt.com), and fax-on-demand services by calling 800/9-IDT-FAX. For more information about these services, call 800/345-7015.

About IDT

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) designs, manufactures and markets high-performance integrated circuits and modules that are used in products in four rapidly growing market segments: communications equipment, such as routers, hubs, switches, cellular base stations and other devices; distributed computing systems, such as workstations and servers; personal computers (PCs), desktop and notebook; and office automation equipment, such as laser printers and color copiers.

IDT enhances the opportunity of its customers to optimize the cost and performance of their microprocessor-based systems by providing innovative solutions based on four product areas: high-speed SRAMs and Fusion Memory; communications products, including industry-leading FIFO memories, multi-port memories and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) products; RISC microprocessors, optimized for both embedded as well as reprogrammable applications; and high-performance logic.

Headquartered in Santa Clara, IDT employs approximately 4,200 people worldwide. -0-

Note to Editors: Fusion Memory is a trademark of Integrated Device Technology, Inc.

CONTACT: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.

Julie Cline, 408/654-6464

Carl May, 408/754-4623