Ramtron, Fujitsu Sign Multi-Million Dollar High-Density FRAM Alliance Agreement.COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 1996--U.S. semiconductor maker Ramtron International Corporation (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :RMTR RMTR Redesigned Missile Tracking Radar ) and Fujitsu Ltd. jointly announced today that they have signed a finalized agreement stating that both companies will jointly develop semiconductor products based on Ramtron's ferroelectric random access memory (storage) Ferroelectric Random Access Memory - (FRAM) A type of non-volatile read/write random access semiconductor memory. FRAM combines the advantages of SRAM - writing is roughly as fast as reading, and EPROM - non-volatility and in-circuit programmability. (FRAM (1) (Ferroelectric RAM) See FeRAM. (2) (Ferromagnetic RAM) A non-volatile memory that records microscopic bits on a magnetic surface. See MRAM. FRAM - Ferroelectric Random Access Memory ) technologies. Fujitsu joins three other major semiconductor firms currently engaged in FRAM technology programs with Ramtron. FRAM memories are new high-performance semiconductors that retain data without power. Under the terms of the agreement, Fujitsu and Ramtron have agreed that: - SCHEDULE: Joint development efforts will begin immediately, beginning with a feasibility study "A Feasibility Study" is an episode of the original The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on 13 April, 1964, during the first season. It was remade in 1997 as part of the revived The Outer Limits series with a minor title change. for high-density FRAM products including test chip design and evaluation; - PRODUCTS: The companies will initially develop a 1-megabit FRAM memory device. Upon successful completion, the companies anticipate the development of a 16-megabit FRAM device; - MARKETING AND PRODUCTION: Fujitsu will be entitled to sell FRAM products under its own name and will supply OEM products to Ramtron; - LICENSING AND ROYALTIES: In exchange for gaining access to Ramtron's ferroelectric technology and know-how, Fujitsu will pay Ramtron an up-front license fee plus an undisclosed amount for the achievement of milestones during the product development phase of the program. Additionally, royalties will be paid to Ramtron for products sold by Fujitsu incorporating Ramtron s ferroelectric technology. Ramtron's FRAM memories combine the high speed of dynamic random access memory Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is a type of random access memory that stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor within an integrated circuit. Since real capacitors leak charge, the information eventually fades unless the capacitor charge is refreshed periodically. (DRAM) and static random access memory Static random access memory (SRAM) is a type of semiconductor memory. The word "static" indicates that the memory retains its contents as long as power remains applied, unlike dynamic RAM (DRAM) that needs to be periodically refreshed (nevertheless, SRAM should not be confused with (SRAM) with the non-volatility of read only memory (ROM) -- features that at present are not available in any single semiconductor memory device. Other nonvolatile memory technologies such as electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power. Although EEPROMs spawned flash memory, EEPROMs are byte addressable at the write level, whereas flash chips must erase a block of bytes before rewriting. ) and Flash memory cannot be reprogrammed at high speeds, require more power to operate, and wear out after fewer rewrite cycles when compared to FRAM memories. Fujitsu, a world class supplier of computers, telecommunications equipment, and semiconductors, manufactures and markets a variety of semiconductor memory products throughout the world. For more information about Fujitsu, contact: Public Relations, 6-1, Marunouchi, 1-chrome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan. Telephone is 81-3-3215-5326 or 81-3-3213-4160; FAX is 81-3-3216-9365. Ramtron International Corporation is a leading developer and supplier of specialty memories including proprietary FRAM products that retain information without power and ultra-high performance EDRAMs. Ramtron holds 85 foreign and U.S. patents covering its proprietary technologies and products, and has more than 82 additional patents filed. For more information about Ramtron and its products, contact: Communications Department, Ramtron International Corporation, 1850 Ramtron Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado The City of Colorado Springs is the second most populous city (after Denver) in the state of Colorado and the 48th most populous city in the United States.[4] The city is the county seat of El Paso County. , USA, 80921. Telephone is 800-545-FRAM; FAX is 719-481-9294; E-mail address is lbrown@ramtron.com. Homepage is http://www.csn.net/ramtron. -0- Note to Editors: FRAM is a trademark of Ramtron International Corporation. CONTACT: Ramtron International Corporation Lee A. Brown, 719/481-7000 or Fujitsu, Public Relations Department, 81-3-3215-5326 |
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