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Toshiba, NEC Electronics and Fujitsu Announce Agreement on "COSMORAM Rev. 4" Common Pseudo SRAM Specifications for Mobile Devices
Toshiba Corporation,NEC Electronics Corporation,Fujitsu Limited
Tokyo, February 15, 2006
Toshiba Corporation, NEC Electronics Corporation, and Fujitsu Limited today announced that they have reached an agreement on standard interface specifications known as COSMORAM (COmmon Specifications for MObile RAM) Rev. 4, for Pseudo Static Random Access Memory (PSRAM)(1) for use in mobile devices. Based on these specifications, each of the three companies will independently begin production and sales of PSRAM devices, with products scheduled to be available from each company from March 2007.
The three companies first created common specifications in September 1998 for stacked multi-chip packages (MCPs) that include both Flash memory and SRAM. In March 2002 the companies jointly announced COSMORAM Rev. 1 with page mode specification for PSRAM, followed by the announcement of the addition of burst mode specification for PSRAM in February 2003 (Rev. 2), and additional specifications for burst mode PSRAM in September 2004 (Rev. 3). As a result of these agreements, the three companies share common interface specifications for PSRAM, which easily enables higher speeds and higher densities, and eliminates the need for customers to be concerned for compatibilities among the three companies' PSRAMs.
The new COSMORAM Rev. 4 is a specification for PSRAM with double data rate burst (DDR burst)(2) mode, which enables up to twice the previous data transfer rates. DDR burst mode enables a tremendous leap in data read/write performance by achieving twice the peak data bandwidth of conventional products. In addition, the short latency mode, which cuts initial access time to roughly half that of conventional products, improves effective bandwidth. These functions are optimal for mobile phones and mobile information terminals, which require ever-increasing levels of high-speed processing.
As with past COSMORAM specifications for PSRAM, customers can continue to standardize design formats, eliminating the need to customize product designs, thereby helping to shorten the design cycle and dramatically improving design efficiency. In addition, since the three companies are using common specifications, they can act as alternative sources for each other, helping to ensure a stable market supply of PSRAMs.
The major areas standardized under COSMORAM Rev. 4 include the following:
- Double Data Rate Burst Mode(2)
- Short Latency Mode
- Capacity
- Voltage Range
- Control Pin Names And Functions
- Truth Table(3)
- Mode Register(4) Setting Method
- AC Timing Specifications
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting device technologies, highly reliable computing and communications products, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers' success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$44.5 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com
Press Contacts
Hiroko Mochida
Corporate Communications Office
Phone: +81 (3) 3457-2105
E-mail: press@toshiba.co.jp
Company:Toshiba Corporation
Customer Contacts
Semiconductor Company
Mobile Memory Sales & Marketing Group
Phone: +81 (3) 3457-3401
E-mail: semicon@toshiba.co.jp
Company:Toshiba Corporation
Press Contacts
Sophie Yamamoto
Corporate Communications Division
Phone: +81 44-435-1676
E-mail: sophie.yamamoto@necel.com
Company:NEC Electronics Corporation
Customer Contacts
Koji Mukoyama
System Memory Division
Phone: +81 42-772-7763
E-mail: koji.mukoyama@necel.com
Company:NEC Electronics Corporation
Press Contacts
Public and Investor Relations
Inquiries
Company:Fujitsu Limited
Customer Contacts
Electronic Devices Business Unit
System Memory Marketing & Business Dev. Div.
FCRAM Product Marketing & APPS Eng. Dept.
Phone: +81-3-5322-3324
E-mail: edevice@fujitsu.com
Company:Fujitsu Limited
All company and product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Date: 15 February, 2006
City: Tokyo
Company:
Toshiba Corporation,
NEC Electronics Corporation,
Fujitsu Limited,
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