FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kentron Technologies Inc. Announces the Adoption of DDRI-400 DRAM Devices to Support Quad Band Memory (QBM) 800MHz Modules For Single and Dual Memory Channel systems.

The combination of DDRI-400 devices and the QBM module based technology provides systems with memory solutions in 2003 that deliver the highest system performance
(6.4 GB/sec and 12.8 GB/sec) in the industry.

Wilmington, MA - Dec 4, 2002 – Kentron Technologies, a leading provider of next generation memory technologies has announced that its family of high performance QBM memory modules will support the DDRI-400 DRAM devices expected to become mainstream in the 2nd half of 2003.  While the DRAM manufacturers such as Samsung, Micron, Hynix and Elpida focus their resources on improving bandwidth at the device level, Kentron’s technology improves speed and density on the module or “platform” level using standard, “off-the-shelf” DRAM devices. 

The QBM technology doubles the bandwidth of current, low cost DDR memory devices by using innovative switching technology to deliver the highest memory bandwidth in the industry.  By combining the low cost, QBM switch component and DDRI-400 devices, Kentron and its partners will deliver QBM800 modules that match the 800MHz front side bus of new system processors (CPUs) expected to be available in the 2nd half of 2003.  The QBM800 modules will operate up to 6.4 GB/sec (single-channel) and 12.8 GB/sec (dual-channel) and will be positioned as the lowest cost and highest performance memory modules in the industry.  

Kentron and its channel partners will be introducing QBM533 (4.2 GB/sec) modules using DDRI-266 memory devices in Q1 of 2003 for use with new motherboards being introduced with the new P4X800 chipsets from VIA Technologies, Inc.  The QBM533 modules combined with the VIA P4X800 memory controllers will match the fast 533MHz front side bus of CPUs and provide the highest performance single channel solution in the system marketplace.  As the CPUs move to the faster 667MHz and 800MHz front side bus, Kentron will be providing QBM based solutions to meet those speeds using available low cost DDRI-333 and DDRI-400 memory devices.

QBM, with the innovative module level switching technology, resolves the challenge of memory bandwidth keeping pace with the fastest microprocessors and minimizes the density restrictions exhibited by DDRI-400 modules due to capacitive load on the memory bus.

QBM solves both of these challenges with its patented switching technology.  The switch component is the key in QBM’s bit packing technique which provides twice the bandwidth of standard DDR devices.  The QBM switch component also acts as an On / Off switch to turn off the QBM modules not in use in a system, thus reducing the capacitive load on the memory bus and allowing for greater system density.

 “While QBM modules are applicable for both single and dual memory channel motherboards, the technology allows system manufacturers to maintain their low cost single channel, 64-bit BUS architectures and match the bandwidth of the fastest CPUs available,” said Bob Goodman, CEO of Kentron Technologies.  “This new DDRI-400 based QBM-800 module will provide the bandwidth not expected to be available at the device level (DDRII & DDRIII) for several years to come and at a much lower cost.”

 “VIA is launching its first QBM enabled chipset, the P4X800 in Q1 of 2003 which is targeted at the High Performance Desktop segment of the marketplace,” said Richard Brown, Director of Marketing at VIA Technologies, Inc. “As a Licensee of the QBM technology and member of the QBM Alliance, VIA will continue to work with Kentron to bring out additional QBM based platform solutions that provide the industry with the best performance at the lowest prices”.

QBM-800 Modules based on DDRI-400 devices will be available in the second half of 2003.

ABOUT KENTRON TECHNOLOGIES

Founded in 1998, Kentron Technologies, Inc., specializes in the design, manufacture, sales, support and licensing of present and next-generation memory platforms to meet the speed and density requirements of high performance computing systems.  With a portfolio of patented memory solutions, Kentron is pioneering new technologies that solve the memory density and speed issues faced by the PC, workstation, server and telecom marketplace. These standard memory platforms achieve the highest “per socket” densities and bandwidths in the world without the premium costs that might be expected of such leading edge technology.  Kentron manufactures its products in multiple locations in the United States and maintains a world-class engineering and R&D facility at its corporate headquarters based in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Additional information is available at the official Quad Band Memory (QBM) website www.QuadBandMemory.com or at the Company’s website at www.kentrontech.com

Attention Editors: for additional information about Kentron Technologies, Inc. please contact Andrea E. Pruna, Kentron Technologies, Inc., 155 West Street, Wilmington, MA, at (978) 988-9100, extension 4161, or at andrea@kentrontech.com.  

Kentron Technologies, QBM, Quad Band Memory and The QBM Alliance are trademarks of  Kentron Technologies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.