Double Data Rate (DDR) modules will be available from Kingston Technology Company later this year. The memory giant has announced its readiness for the market later in 2000, and is sampling DDR modules to OEM customers. As part of its strategic growth plan, Kingston is also expanding its module manufacturing capacity by thirty percent with the addition of state-of-the-art SMT lines.
As the industry is readying new platforms utilising DDR memory module technology, Kingston is shipping DDR DIMM samples to OEM customers for use in system development. New server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms are expected to be introduced beginning in the fourth quarter this year and in 2001. These new platforms, utilizing 200 MHz and 266MHz DDR DIMM memory modules will provide increased performance over PC133 systems.
"Kingston is investing in new CSP-capable manufacturing equipment to ensure that all manufacturing centres will be ready to build more synchronous, Rambus, and DDR modules today while also being enabled for volume production of next-generation memory modules," says Ian Rayner, Kingston brand manager at AXiZ. "Kingston currently ships over two million modules per month, and the company want to ensure that additional manufacturing capacity is available worldwide to support strong unit shipment growth for both the Kingston branded and its OEM Memory Divisions."
Four new state-of-the-art SMT lines have been added in the Americas Manufacturing Centre in Fountain Valley, California, along with another four additional CSP-ready lines in Kingston`s Asia-Pacific Manufacturing Centre in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Further expansion to Kingston`s European Manufacturing Centre in Dublin, Ireland, is planned for later this year.
Kingston is also focusing on production test flows, capacity, and cost, which are critical for the ramp of any new memory technology. Kingston has already completed development of DDR device and module testing on the Agilent 83000 platforms. In addition, Kingston has partnered with leading DRAM vendors to complete the programming of its Advantest ATE platforms to support high volume OEM production testing for the DDR DIMM ramp.
Kingston has initiated the development of a low-cost, low DPM tester solution for DDR modules to further aid in reducing costs associated with high volume module testing.
With annual sales over $1.5 billion in 1999, Kingston offers a complete line of memory, storage, networking and PC enhancement products. With strictly regulated ISO-registered facilities in the United States (ISO 9001), Ireland (ISO 9002), Malaysia (ISO 9002) and Taiwan (ISO 9002), Kingston markets its products through an extensive worldwide network of distributors, major reseller chains and independent dealers. For additional information on Kingston products, please contact Kingston Technology at +1 (800) 337-8410
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Axiz
AXiZ is a leading hardware and software platform distribution company in South Africa, with offices in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Pretoria and a staff complement exceeding 200. Founded in 1989, AXiZ provides Intel hardware building blocks for workstation, server, and networking infrastructure, as well as Microsoft systems software for end-to-end business solutions. In addition, AXiZ provides services such as a server and workstation configuration service, customer deliveries, on-site and telephonic support, training and education.