Rambus Implements XDR Memory Interface in Ultra Low-Cost Package

[btarunr]

Rambus Inc., one of the world's premier technology licensing companies specializing in high-speed memory architectures, today announces the implementation of its award-winning XDR memory architecture using an ultra low-cost LQFP package. In a paper to be presented at DesignCon, Rambus will discuss the benefits of differential signaling delivering high memory bandwidth in a cost-effective package, ideal for consumer electronics such as set-top boxes and HDTVs.

"Today's consumer electronics require high bandwidth and low-cost manufacturability," said Martin Scott, senior vice president of Research and Technology Development at Rambus. "Our team has demonstrated that the superior signal integrity of the XDR memory architecture, which enables the highest data rates of any DRAM technology, also makes possible high-speed operation in very low-cost device packaging."

To showcase the capability of its XDR memory architecture to operate at multi-gigabit data rates in an ultra low-cost package, Rambus has implemented an XDR memory controller in an LQFP package that can operate reliably at data rates of up to 3.2Gbps. Rambus will demonstrate this achievement at DesignCon (booth #205). The paper titled, Feasibility of Multi-Gigabit Memory Interface in LQFP Packages, will be presented at DesignCon on February 4, 2009 and will be available on http://www.rambus.com.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[kwchang007]

I know P4 + Rambus ended in disaster but why not build a gfx card architecture using Rambus XDR memory....or are they not compatible?

 

[btarunr]

I know P4 + Rambus ended in disaster but why not build a gfx card architecture using Rambus XDR memory....or are they not compatible?

Technology isn't the stumbling-block, the market is. Memory chips using the XDR2 technology may cost more to sell and distribute, since the volumes are far lower than those of our usual DRAM. Major players such as Intel and NVIDIA have had troubled relations with Rambus, they find it the irritating patent-Nazi. Without the participation of those two companies, no standard can really take off. Ofc you have GDDR5 that you find only on ATI cards, but NVIDIA has made the commitment to use it in its next generation of products. GDDR5 will survive. The demand graphics cards industry creates, the supply Samsung, Hyundai (and hopefully Qimonda) maintain, evenly balances things out, and you have an affordable technology in the end.

 

[R_1]

Intel have to make some x58-820 chipset and promote this new Rambus memory .

 

[zithe]

Intel have to make some x58-820 chipset and promote this new Rambus memory .

We'd have to go back to having a memory controller on the mobo, unless they updated the i7 with it.

I don't want to wait for that. XD

 

[R_1]

We'd have to go back to having a memory controller on the mobo, unless they updated the i7 with it.
I don't want to wait for that. XD

There is a chip called Memory Translator Hub (MTH) .

I was joking. It was quite a saga back then in 2000 year with Intel's 820 Chipset (and not pleasant one, if I may add).

 

[vagxtr]

x58-i820 lol ... more likely x69

but put that aside, intel and amd are not the whole computer world.
rambus done an excellent job with xdr, in fact so good that micron and others used their ideas in ddr2/3..4 chips. (and federal curt looks favorably in this kind of industrial espionage i wonder what ati would say 2-3 from now about their secrets gone to envidia by that stanford runaway dally)
and after all as small memory market player they targeting consumer electronics where lower cost and smaller number of modules make a big difference. in fact it wouldn't be too much of surprise that tegra2 use xdr interface instead ddr2. it's simply more power efficient and as it came out more bang for buck when small size matters.

 

[Steevo]

Rambus, ahh yes. I worked on a Dell the other day that had 512Mb of that crap in it.

 

[erocker]

I have a Dell with 1gb of the old Rambus in it. It's kinda fast-ish.. Isn't this new Rambus ram QDR?

 

[eidairaman1]

too bad cant get this design in a 240 Pin DDR2 Package, Talk about a major player.

 

[Deleted member 3]

I have a Dell with 1gb of the old Rambus in it. It's kinda fast-ish.. Isn't this new Rambus ram QDR?

XDR isn't new and is ODR (octal), XDR2 is x16, I presume that's called HDR. The PS3 uses XDR.

 

[kwchang007]

XDR isn't new and is ODR (octal), XDR2 is x16, I presume that's called HDR. The PS3 uses XDR.

How would you get 8 signals per clock cycle? Like DDR runs at the max and min I believe, QDR would be max, min + x intercepts? And ODR would be well i have no clue...

 

[vagxtr]

How would you get 8 signals per clock cycle? Like DDR runs at the max and min I believe, QDR would be max, min + x intercepts? And ODR would be well i have no clue...

DDR3(PC3) uses 4 muxed signals per cycle to transmit 8 bits and next to promised ddr4 will use 8 muxed signals. But rambus is not ODR or HDR cause they are not 4 or 8 times phase shifted like ViA's ex-initaitive QDR that has 2+2 phase shifted signals. it's in fact just like that old QDR just with insane chopping CR up to 500MHz. While DDR3 for now is just @312,5MHz only (ddr3-2500: http://hothardware.com/News/Elpida-Develops-50nm-DDR3-SDRAM/)

 

[Deleted member 3]

How would you get 8 signals per clock cycle? Like DDR runs at the max and min I believe, QDR would be max, min + x intercepts? And ODR would be well i have no clue...

Google probably knows. I don't It's just like I don't know what's in my food, I just know it's there and it's safe to eat.

 

[kwchang007]

Google probably knows. I don't It's just like I don't know what's in my food, I just know it's there and it's safe to eat.

loll