Kentron here today rolled out a line of modules based on its so-called Quad Band Memory (QBM) technology--an emerging scheme that promises to double the speeds of double-data-rate (DDR) SDRAM memory.

Kentron--a supplier of memory modules based in Wilmington--claims its QBM technology makes use of an FET-based switching technology that boosts the speeds of DDR SDRAMs. Kentron also claims its technology will deliver 6.4-gigabytes-per-second of memory bandwidth for dual-channel applications by 2005.

QBM technology also makes use of new, high-speed devices from ST Micro and ICS. ST Micro today rolled out a switch device geared for QBM, while ICS introduced a radio-frequency (RF) component for the scheme.

QBM-based DDR SDRAM technology is said to have several advantages over rival DDR- and non-DDR-based schemes. QBM provides the industry's fastest memory for both point-to-point and general memory subsystems, said Bob Goodman, CEO of Kentron.

"By using existing, low cost, industry standard DDR 1 memory devices combined with QBM technology, the industry can immediately realize the bandwidth of future, more expensive DDR 2 memory," Goodman said. "Kentron's QBM memory solution is very scalable to new DDR devices and exceeds the price and performance goals for fast, affordable memory to match the fastest PC, workstation, server and telecom processors."

QBM technology maintains the industry standard 100/133-MHz frequencies, device latencies, and 64-bit bus structures. But based on Kentron's patented "E-BUS" switch technology, QBM has the ability to reduce the bus loading in a system, enabling it to support more than eight modules. Future DDR 2 modules will be limited to two modules per system.

To propel the technology in the market, Kentron announce the availability of QBM-based memory modules running at 3.2-gigabytes-per-second of bandwidth (400-MHz data rate) and 4.2-gigabytes-per-second of bandwidth (533-MHz data rate). The modules will ship in he first quarter of 2002.

Kentron's modules utilize a new, high-speed switch component--dubbed the QBM10, which is available from ST Micro. This 533-MHz switch device is based on a new phase-lock-loop (PLL) component from ICS. The PLL provides the desired phase shift and frequency multiplication.

Faster QBM modules running at 5.4-gigabytes-per-second of bandwidth (667-MHz data rate) will coincide with the availability in volume of the faster DDR333 memory devices expected in 2003.

QBM modules running at 6.4-gigabytes-per-second of bandwidth(800MHz data rate) will be available once the memory industry is able to introduce in volume the faster DDR 2 memory devices sometime in 2004.