Quad Data Rate SRAM at 333 MHz

Volatile memory keeps getting better and faster and looks like it will continue to improve for quite some time. Yesterday, Cypress, IDT, Micron, NEC, and Samsung let us know about new quad data rate architectures called QDRII and Double Data Rate (DDR) II for SRAM products. The gang of silicon mavens say that the new architectures will boost the overall QDR and DDR performance to 333 MHz. They're looking over the initial silicon of an 18Mbit QDR SRAM device with the QDRII/DDRII enhancements right now, and figure they'll be putting out samples in several configurations and speed grades in Q4 2001. The silicon will be packaged on a 13mm x 15mm FBGA with a 165-pin ball grid array, and is defined for density migration through 18, 36, and 72Mbit densities. The gang of five is currently pushing for JEDEC approval for the new chips and even has a website devoted to the new technology.