SONY SEMICONDUCTOR TO DELIVER MORE THAN ONE MILLION
SYNCHRONOUS BURST SRAM CHIPS PER MONTH
Chips Will Feed Exploding Demand for Cache SRAM
Created by Pentium-Based PCs
SAN JOSE, October 30, 1995 -- Sony Semiconductor Company of America today announced plans to produce more than
one million units of 32K x 32 synchronous Burst SRAM per month by January 1, 1996. The move is designed to address the
exploding demand for high-speed SRAM -- expected by analysts to reach greater than 70 million units in 1996 -- created
by Pentium-based PCs.
Pentium-based computers require a high-speed SRAM L2 (second-level) cache to eliminate CPU wait states caused by slow
DRAM-based main memory. As processor performance and bus speeds increase, high-speed cache is becoming an increasingly
critical element in realizing the processor's full performance.
32K x 32 Burst SRAM is widely acknowledged as delivering the best price-performance solution for a 256 or 512Kbyte
cache for Pentium PCs.
"The major PC vendors have all been asking for 32K x 32 Burst SRAM support," stated Jean Pierre Laussade,
vice president, Sony Semiconductor Company of America. "From a strategic view, we believe the conversion of our
CMOS fab to help address these needs is best for our customers, the market and Sony. We're investing now to take
advantage of growing demand based on our customers' projections of long-term requirements."
Sony announced the CXK77V3211Q, a one megabit 32K x 32 synchronous Burst SRAM in February 1995. The device operates
reliably at speeds of up to 100MHz in pipeline mode and requires a low 3.3V power supply. It is packaged in 100-pin
QFPs to achieve high density, high speed and low power consumption. Pricing, in 1,000-piece quantities, ranges from
$28 each for 14ns versions to $31 each for 11ns speed grade versions.
Sony engineers designed the synchronous Burst SRAM chip at Sony's state-of-the-art design center located in San Jose.
More than 30 Sony engineers at this facility work directly with leading computer manufacturers to design next
generation SRAM products. In fact, fully 60 percent of all Sony semiconductor sales in the U.S. are expected to come
from products designed in San Jose for U.S. customers including the leading-edge SRAM products used by top workstation
manufacturers.
The San Jose design center provides Sony engineers with a distinct competitive advantage in meeting the advanced and
specialized needs of the markets it serves. Sony is the leading supplier of cache SRAM market for high-speed
engineering workstations and is moving to solidify its lead in synchronous SRAM by becoming a major supplier of PC
cache. Its experience at high frequencies allows faster product definition and time to market for PC cache. Sony also
has a history of providing innovative, highly integrated cache solutions for mobile PCs.
The CMOS wafer fabrication facility, located in San Antonio, Texas, is ISO9002 certified. A significant portion of the
production capability of this 33,000 square foot facility will be dedicated to the production of 32K x 32 Burst SRAM.
Sony Semiconductor Company of America is part of Sony Electronics Inc. The company is a leading OEM supplier of
semiconductors, including Static RAM, CCD, D/A and A/D converters, TV and audio ICs, digital filters, serial/optical
communication ICs, cellular/PCS ICs and multimedia devices. The company's discrete components include laser diodes,
variable capacitance diodes, and GaAs FET devices.
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