MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AND SAMSUNG
ELECTRONICS REACH AGREEMENT ON STANDARDIZED SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGH-DENSITY
RAMs IN PORTABLE DEVICES
TOKYO, October 31, 2001--Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced today they
have standardized specifications for high-density RAMs for use in
portable devices (mobile phones, PDAs) to respond to the need for
higher density, smaller package size, and lower prices.
Details
Specifications of work RAMs (called “Mobile RAM” by Mitsubishi
Electric and “UtRAM” by Samsung Electronics) have been
standardized for various kinds of data processing on portable devices
as follows.
Standardization of mode select function by software
command control
1) Data keeping block select function: Required data can be stored
at a minimum standby current
2) Software power-down function: State of power consumption of ultra-low
current can be maintained
Background
With next-generation mobile phones that have come into use in Japan
and Korea ahead of other countries, various services for music,
picture and game content delivery, electronic banking and video
phones are expected in addition to Internet connectivity. These
services require large-volume data communication, which is generating
a need for lower prices and increased density in work RAMs mounted
in portable devices (especially mobile phones).
Mitsubishi Electric has developed and mass produced
its own proprietary high-density RAMs, Mobile RAMs, to meet these
requirements and has proposed various memory solutions using packages
in previous sizes with the aid of its unique small-size packaging
technique ( :
Stacked micro MCP). Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics has developed
and mass-produced its own similar large-capacity work RAM, UtRAM.
Objectives
Previously, there were many varied specifications for high-density
RAMs. By standardizing the specifications for the mode selecting
function by software command control, Mitsubishi Electric and Samsung
Electronics, two leaders in the mobile phone memory industry, will
establish a stable product development and supply system that will
provide customers with higher product reliability.
Future Developments
By standardizing the page mode function, it will be possible to
use the products of either company on customers’ sets through
initial evaluation. In addition Mitsubishi Electric and Samsung
Electronics will standardize performance specifications as well
as function specifications in 2002 to ensure a more stable supply
of products to customers.
Major specifications for mobile RAMs with standardized
functions
| Density: |
32Mbits |
| High-speed reading function: |
Page mode |
| Page cycle time: |
40MHz |
| Supply voltage: |
2.7V - 3.0V |
| Power-down current: |
 |
| Package: |
 |
*Stacked micro Multi Chip Package: Actual
products will be packaged together with flash memories, LPSRAMs
etc.
Features of Mobile RAM/UtRAM
-A work RAM for the LPSRAM interface
-Contents automatically refresh their cells even though the memories
use DRAM cells. Thus external control for refreshing is not required
-Standby current for refreshing is reduced 1/2 to 1/5 that of conventional
DRAMs
Product Applications
Mitsubishi Electric and Samsung Electronics plan to supply products
of 32Mbits or more with standardized functions from June 2002.
About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
With 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality
products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over
the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (FTSE: 6503q.l) is a
recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales
of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing
and communications, space development and satellite communications,
consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation
and construction. The company has operations in 34 countries and
recorded consolidated group sales of over US$33BN in the year ended
March 31, 2001. Additional information on Mitsubishi Electric is
available at global.mitsubishielectric.com.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductors,
the consumer electronics industry, and digital convergence technology.
Samsung Electronics employs approximately 66,000 people in 46 countries.
The company is the world’s largest producer of memory chips,
TFT-LCDs, CDMA mobile phones and monitors and the sixth-largest
manufacturer of mobile phones. Samsung Electronics consists of four
main business units: Digital Media, Semiconductor, Information &
Communications, and Home Appliance Businesses. For more information,
please visit the web site, http://samsungelectronics.com.
# # #
Trademark Information
“UtRAM” is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics
Co., Ltd.
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