Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2001/01/08/via_posts_ddr_validation_results/

Via posts DDR validation results

DDR t-shirts live another day

By Mike Magee

Posted in Channel, 8th January 2001 10:48 GMT

Via has announced a further stage in the ongoing battle for PC memory, involving Jedec, Rambust and the Seven Dramurai, which means we will probably see its execrable t-shirts start to return to the light of day.

The plucky little Taiwanese company [it's quite big Ed], said that it had completed the initial stage of its double data rate (DDR) synchronous memory programme, which involves Solectron subsidiary Smart Modular Technologies.

That started last November and was intended to prove that DDR devices are compliant both with memory standard outfit JEDEC and Via's chipset companies.

Although DDR is still a little pricey, those interested in it winning need Dramurai (memory manufacturers) on its side. So far, Smart Modular has validated devices from Hyundai, Samsung, Infineon, Micron and NEC/Hitachi.

Some of these have signed licence agreements with Rambus Ink for patents it claims it holds on DDR SDRAM and controllers. Others - like Infineon and Micron - are in litigation with Mountain View firm Rambus as we write.

One of the rather puzzling things to us is that Rambus has not yet taken the step, as far as we know, of writing one of its lawyers letters to Via itself. The Taiwanese firm was instrumental in rocking the Rambus boat at Computex last year, and persuading a large number of Taiwanese mobo firms to follow suit, at which time its execrable DDR t-shirts made their first appearance.

According to sources within Via, which were rather hurt at our suggestion their t-shirts weren't nearly as spiffy as our merchandise, the DDR sportswear is still very popular. Via has placed the results of its tests at its Web site, here. ®