FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. -- Kingston Technology Inc. here expects that its joint development with Intel Corp. for a Direct Rambus DRAM motherboard tester will finish up its work on systems in the next few weeks. The testers will then be turned over to Intel for validation and made available for production use later this year, according to Kingston officials.
Fully automated motherboard testers are essential for Direct Rambus DRAM system applications, said Richard Kanadjian, director of technology at Kingston, which produces memory modules for PCs and computer equipment.
Initially, Kingston will build its RC2000 motherboard testers itself for use in a module production. Kanadjian said the firm is considering commercializing the system to be available in the market. "We haven't decided whether we would license the technology for other test equipment companies to build, or whether to outsource production of the RC2000," he added.
The RC2000 fully automated tester will have greater throughput and be more advanced than existing systems, according to Kanadjian. He said the system will give Kingston confidence in quality control, allowing its production lines to use sampling testing on Direct Rambus chips and Rambus inline memory modules (RIMMs), instead of the current practice of 100% testing of the parts. Reduced testing will lower costs--an essential move in helping to drive up Rambus memory volumes.
"You don't need 100% testing of all chips and modules, if you test all motherboards," Kanadjian claimed. Kingston hopes to accomplish the same efficiency with the RC2000 for Direct Rambus. The technology director also said sampling testing of Direct RDRAM chips and RIMMs would cut capital investment in high-speed testers, since not as many systems would be needed.
Kingston is also planning to open a new memory module plant in China next year to be closer to system manufacturers, which have built assembly facilities in the country. A site will be selected for the new plant soon, said Wai Szeto, vice president of strategic business development for Kingston. A prime location for the plant is in the Shenzen area, he said.
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