February 8, 2005 – A group of chipmakers have banded together to streamline system-level memory validation and test. The Platform Independent Storage Module (PISMO) Advisory Council, spearheaded by Spansion and ARM and including Toshiba NanoAmp Solutions, SMedia, and Spreadtrum, aims to define a single board-level interface standard for using various memory devices on multiple development platforms.

The initiative is in response to a growing list of test and validation issues arising from increasingly complex combinations of memory and logic chip sets, according to PISMO chairman Fasil Bekele. The interface standard to be developed by PISMO will define mechanical and electrical specifications for small form-factor memory modules, and will be stackable and supported by analysis tools.

“While we pride ourselves on our comprehensive offering of low-power memory products, the breadth of our product line can sometimes present a design challenge for our customers,” said Mike Vincent, VP of marketing for NanoAmp. “Memory suppliers have a responsibility to help solve the tough development challenges that have arisen due to increased differentiation in the memory and logic markets,” added Stephen Lapinsky, VP of systems engineering and strategic alliances for Spansion.

Membership in PISMO is open to any company involved in semiconductor or systems developmenet. The group’s first quarterly meeting is scheduled for February 22.