AgigA Tech intros first high-speed, high-density, battery-free NVS

POWAY, USA: AgigA Tech Inc., a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp., introduced the industry’s first high-speed, high-density non-volatile RAM system. The new AGIGARAM non-volatile system (NVS) technology delivers densities between 4 megabytes (32 megabits) and 2 gigabytes (16 gigabits) and peak transfer rates equivalent to DRAMs.

The AGIGARAM is ideal for a wide range of systems, including storage, networking, communications, industrial computing and controls, medical equipment, gaming systems, ATMs and point-of-sale terminals, printers, scanners, copiers, automotive and military systems.

Until now, high-speed, non-volatile memory choices have been limited, especially when the performance of a RAM is desired. Complementing the nvSRAM offerings from Cypress, the AGIGARAM system scales and extends nonvolatile solutions to much higher densities. The next best high-density alternative, battery-backed memories, can offer high speeds, but are subject to numerous problems, such as hazardous material issues, increased design complexity, long charge times, limited operating life, and a high total cost of ownership.

The AGIGARAM system solves these problems with a novel use of a battery free power sub-system, teamed with high-speed synchronous DRAM, NAND Flash, intelligent power management and a proprietary system controller. During normal operation the AGIGARAM functions exactly like a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM).

When power is lost, however, it automatically saves the data to NAND Flash using the energy stored in the power subsystem. When power is restored, the data is transferred back into the SDRAM. This functionality can be used for power interruption/loss immunity, instant-on recovery, write caching and posting, data logging and journaling, and service and maintenance processing.

“Today's memory technologies all have a problem. DRAM is volatile, flash is slow, SRAM with batteries is unreliable, and alternative technologies are too costly to use in large densities," said Jim Handy, Director of Objective Analysis. "Products like AgigA Tech's that combine the best attributes of DRAM and NAND are likely to meet with broad acceptance."

“AgigA Tech’s unique technology and expertise have yielded a superior solution for high-speed, high-density non-volatile RAM,” said Ron Sartore, CEO of AgigA Tech. “And our relationship with Cypress enables us to work with customers through a world-class sales and distribution network.”

AGIGARAM products and features -- AgigA Tech announced two distinct AGIGARAM product families; BALI and CAPRI.

BALI Product Features: Targeted at general purposes, embedded, and industrial applications:

4-MB to 64-MB densities
High-speed 100 MHz SDRAM
200 MB/sec peak transfers
I2C command/control bus
3.3V VCC for 4 MB to 32 MB, 5.0V VCC for 64 MB
Package: 200-pin SO-DIMM or Mezzanine card
0-70 degrees C operating range
3 year, 5 year and 10 year operating life options
Integrated battery-free power pack

CAPRI Product Features: Targeted at higher end storage, industrial, networking, and communications applications, this product comes in sizes ranging from 256 MB to 2 GB and uses a much higher speed DDR-800 interface. It also integrates a battery-free power pack. Future versions will extend these sizes even further.

Availability
The AGIGARAM BALI product is available now in production. Evaluation kits are also available now. The higher-end DDR2 based CAPRI product will be sampling in July of this year, with production quantities available in September 2009.

Extreme targeting Ethernet networks

Extreme Networks recently launched a host of new Ethernet solutions aimed at global enterprises and service providers at its Partner Conference in Bali.

According to Mark Canepa, CEO, the company provide secure, converged Ethernet networks for enterprises and global service providers. The positioning is in the Ethernet space and Extreme does not worry about any other evolving or legacy technology for that matter. The solutions aim solve tough network challenges with meaningful insight and unprecedented control that simplifies networking operations.

Extreme announced a range of new solutions as well. Its BlackDiamond 12802R carrier Ethernet switch enables a wider range of metro deployments. It also announced some other new solutions as well. These include:

The Summit X250e Series, which has powerful application support in a 10/100 package; ExtremeXOS 12.0, which is a consistent, easy-to-manage stacking on every ExtremeXOS fixed configuration switch; Universal Port Manager, which allows simple automation for the entire enterprise policy lifecycle; and Summit WM200, Summit WM2000, which promise to deliver the future of wireless convergence today with modular, integrated WLAN.

Extreme's target markets for the year include WLAN, carrier Ethernet switches, security and L2+L3 Ethernet switches. The company's mission has been to provide secure, converged Ethernet networks for enterprises and global service providers who have complex networking needs.

Partnering with the channel is an essential part of Extreme Network's plan for success in Asia-Pacific. While Extreme builds great products and solutions, it also understands the network's big picture and the future path of technology. It extends the value of the infrastructure by developing key technology partnerships and helping customers learn how to use them.

The channels build great customer relationships and deep understanding. They, in turn, are able to understand the customer's big picture, and their future aspirations and plans. The channel extends the value of the customer's network by assembling the key components and delivering valuable services.