Rambus Signs Technology License Agreements With Sony, Sony Computer Entertainment and Toshiba; Two New Interfaces Selected for Logic-to-Memory and Logic-to-Logic Connectivity.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LOS ALTOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2003

Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), the leader in ultra high-speed interface technology, today announced new agreements with Sony Corporation (Sony), Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) and Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba) for the license and utilization of two new high-speed interfaces, codenamed "Yellowstone" and "Redwood." Offering unparalleled competitive advantages, these two interfaces are expected to be utilized for future broadband applications with "Cell."

The impact on Rambus' financials will be discussed during a conference call and webcast on January 6, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The specific terms of the agreements are confidential.

Currently at 3.2GHz data rates, with a roadmap to higher performance, "Yellowstone" is much faster than the best available DDR memories. "Yellowstone" offers high performance in memory signaling while optimizing system cost through pin-count reduction and support for high volume PCBs and packages.

"Redwood," the ultra high-speed parallel interface between multiple chips, delivers a data rate about ten times faster than the latest processor busses. It maintains lower latency and lower power consumption than current solutions, while keeping high productivity and cost efficiency.

"The use of Direct Rambus technology in PlayStation(R)2 was essential for its performance," said Ken Kutaragi, president and chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "Rambus is and will be the key player in the ultra high-speed interface technology. This enables us to create a wide range of applications and platforms from high-end systems to digital consumer electronics products within Sony Group."

"We recognize Rambus as the premier provider of high speed interface technology. We have already decided to integrate Rambus' interface technology into our next-generation high-value added DRAM, and we have now extended our partnership to the logic interface. These technologies will support us in delivering effective solutions to next-generation systems that require high-speed processing of large graphics and audio data," said Takeshi Nakagawa, corporate senior vice president of Toshiba Corporation and president and chief executive officer of Toshiba Corporation Semiconductor Company.

"We have had long and mutually beneficial relationships with Sony, Sony Computer Entertainment and Toshiba," said Geoff Tate, chief executive officer at Rambus. "Rambus' objective is to produce innovative solutions that will benefit our semiconductor and system partners. We are pleased that our ultra high-speed logic-to-memory and logic-to-logic solutions are key technologies to produce a wide range of future systems."

About Rambus Inc.

Rambus is a leading provider of chip-to-chip interface products and services. The company's breakthrough technology and engineering expertise have helped leading chip and system companies to solve their challenging interface problems and bring industry-leading products to market. Rambus' interface solutions can be found in hundreds of computing, consumer electronic and networking products. Additional information is available at www.rambus.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's industry, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by the Company's management. You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "intends," "potential," "continue" or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to the foregoing statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those identified in the Company's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recently filed Form 10-Q, and also including the uncertainty of new technologies; and the uncertainty regarding the technical and market demands for such technologies. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to Rambus on the date hereof. Rambus assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Rambus is a registered trademark of Rambus Inc. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Other trademarks that may be mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.