SMART moves to ramp up DIMM production

SMART Modular Technologies is ramping up production of its PC2700 unbuffered dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) due to growing demand.

SMART Modular Technologies is ramping up production of its PC2700 unbuffered dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) due to growing demand.

SMART's unbuffered error-correcting code (ECC) and non-ECC PC2700 DIMMs have passed a number of industry-standard testing procedures, which coincide with the ramp up of specific DDR333-supported chipsets and processors.

Leveraging its global manufacturing footprint, SMART has positioned itself to support the increasing demand for PC2700 DIMMs while keeping cost at a minimum.

Using state-of-the-art module assembly and test equipment, including use of the latest JEDEC-approved PC2700 module gerbers, each PC2700 DIMM must pass rigid QA (quality and assurance) inspection and test guidelines.

The transitioning of desktop PCs and introduction of new networking systems has fueled much of the demand for PC2700 DIMMs.

SMART is currently working with a major OEM customer to complete prequalification testing for a new lineup of PC2700 desktops.

This testing includes extended system testing as well as signal integrity and timing verification across a variety of configurations.

Semico Research Corporation, a marketing and engineering research company located in Phoenix- believes that DDR333 will be able to command approximately 33% of the DRAM market in 2003 or approximately $6.6 billion as memory is incorporated in new PCs.

This is up from an expected 20% closing market share for 2002.

Semico also reports that with true 333MHz front side buses soon to be released by AMD and Intel, DDR333 will be able to enhance the processing of the new high-speed CPUs.

During an average quarter, SMART performs approximately 50 qualifications across four semiconductor device vendors and eight motherboards that result in 85 pages of test data for each qualification.

SMART's 256 and 512Mbyte unbuffered PC2700 DIMMs have passed Intel's validation testing developed for its 845PE and 845GE DDR333 reference platforms used in mainstream desktops.

The objective of Intel's validation testing, which is being conducted by Intel and Advanced Validation Labs, is to verify DDR DIMM and SO-DIMM performance in Intel reference systems and provide a guideline for memory compatibility with its chipsets.

Testing for quality, compatibility, reliability and performance, SMART's PC2700 DIMMs have also passed certification testing at Certified Memory Test Labs (CMTL) on five specific reference platforms.

CMTL's certification program identifies modules that have been extensively tested for cross platform compatibility and reliable operation.

For networking applications, SMART's PC2700 DIMMs have been tested and qualified on Broadcom's BCM1250-based reference test boards.

Based on recent analysis from Semico, the communications market recovery will drive the need for greater bandwidth.

PC2700 DIMMs are increasingly being designed into new applications in part based on the use of Broadcom's BCM1250 and other leading-edge network processors.

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