San Jose, California–NEC Corp. has joined Cypress Semiconductor Corp., IDT, Inc., and Micron Technology Inc. in their efforts to design and manufacture Quad Data Rate (QDR) static RAMs. QDR SRAM is the multi-sourced standard for high-performance memories in switches, routers, and other applications needing to operate at data rates above 200 MHz.

In 1999, the QDR SRAM co-development arrangement was formed to define new SRAM architectures for future high-performance communications applications. The participating companies work closely together to ensure multiple sources for the new QDR SRAMs by developing pin- and function-compatible products. Each member provides system expertise and product direction.

“NEC joined the QDR SRAM co-development team because the QDR SRAM architecture has become a high performance standard in the industry,” says Zensuke Matsuda, general manager of NEC’s 2nd LSI Memory Division. “It is the most viable means to achieve the high-bandwidth memories required by the next wave of high-speed data networks. We are committing to this specification because it drives the development of the memory products our customers need to design their future data networking systems. In short, QDR is what our customers want.”

“We are pleased to welcome NEC to the QDR SRAM co-development team,” says Jerry Johnson, Micron’s marketing manager. “They offer a strong customer representation in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. NEC’s participation brings an additional QDR source to the market, further reassuring QDR SRAM users that these high-performance memories are on multiple supplier roadmaps.”

The QDR SRAM architecture incorporates extensive input from networking industry leaders. The new devices have two ports that independently run at double data rate (DDR), resulting in four data items per clock cycle. Depending on the applications, QDR SRAMs can more than double the SRAM bandwidth. Like other co-development member companies, NEC will design its devices using its own technology and fabrication facilities, and will deliver products according to its own internal schedules.