High Performance DDR2 SDRAM Interface IP Enables Professional Graphics Solutions
OTTAWA, Ontario - October 11, 2006 - MOSAID Technologies (TSX: MSD) today announced that the MOSAID Memorize™ DDR IP (intellectual property) memory interface and controller product will be integrated into future Matrox Graphics 90nm professional graphics controllers. MOSAID's Memorize memory interface IP includes complete hard PHYs, or physical interfaces, in addition to the soft memory controller IP. This combination of soft and hard IP offers a complete memory controller solution to developers of complex ICs (integrated circuits) for applications such as video processing, MPEG encoding and decoding, graphics processing and networking.
"MOSAID Memorize IP was the best choice to meet specific price-performance targets we set for future 90nm graphics processing units," said David Chiappini, Director of ASIC Engineering, Matrox. "MOSAID's complete solution allowed us to reduce risk and time to market through the use of proven third party IP, allowing us to complement our own memory interface specialists and tape out more products in a shorter period of time."
"DDR2 memory technology will allow us to provide our customers with long product life cycles and stability of supply," said Alan Vandenbussche, VP Sales and Marketing, Matrox. "MOSAID provided the complete solution we needed to satisfy our technology requirements."
"We continue to see an increasing number of IC design starts requiring an interface to low cost, high bandwidth off-chip memories," said Michael Kaskowitz, Senior Vice President, Semiconductor IP, MOSAID. "With the growing complexity of memory interfaces, more designers are realizing the benefits of MOSAID's memory interface and controller IP."
Availability
Supporting data rates up to 1066 Mbps, MOSAID Memorize memory interface and controller IP is silicon proven and available now for leading foundry processes targeting 130nm and 90nm CMOS technologies. Registered customers can download data sheets and front end design kits directly from MOSAID's customer center at www.mosaid.com.
About MOSAID Memorize
MOSAID Memorize is unique in offering a complete interface and controller IP solution for SoCs that require an interface to off-chip DDR/DDR2 SDRAMs. Memorize's hard PHYs include (i) application specific SSTL I/O libraries featuring on-die termination and programmable drive strength, (ii) analog DLLs to precisely time the edges of strobe and data signals in accordance with the requirements of JEDEC standard SDRAMs while providing immunity to voltage and temperature variation, and (iii) MOSAID's unique ITM (Interface Timing Module) library that hardens critical circuitry normally found in the memory controller logic, virtually eliminating timing closure problems between the soft and hard IP. Memorize's soft controller IP manages and arbitrates between multiple on-chip applications that interface to the one external memory resource. Memorize controller IP also optimizes SDRAM channel bandwidth by utilizing complex algorithms to reorder commands based on page hit or miss status and by hiding SDRAM precharge and activate commands in otherwise unused command slots. Memorize controller IP manages all refresh requirements for the external SDRAMs and offers error correction capability.
About Matrox Graphics
Matrox Graphics Inc. is the leading manufacturer of graphics solutions for professionals and has been delivering high-quality, innovative 2D/3D and video graphics accelerators for more than a quarter century. Creator of the multi-display phenomenon, Matrox combines its proven graphics chip designs, reliable software development and dependable card manufacturing expertise to produce products that are reputed worldwide for their superior image quality, practical ingenuity and unwavering stability. Matrox Graphics designs and supports graphics solutions optimized for utility, empowering professionals to see more and do more. A privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Matrox has international offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Italy and Hong Kong. For more information, visit www.matrox.com/graphics.
About MOSAID
MOSAID Technologies Incorporated makes semiconductors better through the development and licensing of intellectual property and the supply of memory test and analysis systems. MOSAID counts many of the world's largest semiconductor companies among its customers. Founded in 1975, MOSAID is based in Ottawa, Ontario, with offices in Santa Clara California; Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, visit www.mosaid.com.
