Digital ICs/DSP: DDR3 Memories Transfer Data At Up To 1067 Mbits/s

Aug. 18, 2005

First samples of the third-generation double-data-rate (DDR3) SDRAMs and modules are now available. The memory devices double the speed of today's fastest DDR2 products. The company expects systems equipped with DDR3 memories in late 2006. Initial versions of the DDR3 memories will transfer data at speeds of 800 up to 1067 Mbits/s. Future versions are expected to operate at speeds of up to 1600 Mbits/s. The memories also operate at lower supply voltages. While DDR2 devices use 1.8-V supplies, DDR3 devices will operate from 1.5-V supplies. The lower operating voltage will reduce overall power consumption, a key concern in battery-powered systems. Volume production is currently planned for late 2006. Contact the company for projected pricing.

Infineon Technologies AGwww.infineon.com/memory/ddr3

About the Author

Dave Bursky

Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.