The ''SPMT Consortium'' is a coalition of companies involved in designing and manufacturing
mobile devices
A mobile device (or handheld computer) is a computer small enough to hold and operate in the hand. Mobile devices typically have a flat LCD or OLED screen, a touchscreen interface, and digital or physical buttons. They may also have a physical ...
,
integrated circuits
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC, a chip, or a microchip) is a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece (or "chip") of semiconductor material, usually silicon. Transistor count, Large ...
, and
semiconductor IP.
[SPMT Factsheet](_blank)
/ref> The organization developed the SPMT specification, which is a SerDes
{{Use American English, date = March 2019
A Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) is a pair of functional blocks commonly used in high speed communications to compensate for limited input/output. These blocks convert data between serial data and paral ...
memory interface primarily for commodity DRAM
Dynamic random-access memory (dynamic RAM or DRAM) is a type of random-access semiconductor memory that stores each bit of data in a memory cell, usually consisting of a tiny capacitor and a transistor, both typically based on metal-oxi ...
and mobile markets.
The specification is ideal for data intensive, media-rich functionality like video, GPS, internet access, email, multimedia, and music.
History
The SPMT Consortium was founded in 2009 by ARM Holdings
Arm is a British semiconductor and software design company based in Cambridge, England.
Its primary business is in the design of ARM processors (CPUs). It also designs other chips, provides software development tools under the DS-5, Real ...
, Hynix
SK hynix Inc. is a South Korean supplier of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips and flash memory chips. Hynix is the world's second-largest memory chipmaker (after Samsung Electronics) and the world's third-largest semiconductor company. ...
Semiconductor, Inc., LG Electronics
LG Electronics Inc. () is a South Korean multinational electronics company headquartered in Yeouido-dong, Seoul, South Korea. LG Electronics is a part of LG Corporation, the fourth largest ''chaebol'' in South Korea, and often considered ...
, Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (, sometimes shortened to SEC and stylized as SΛMSUNG) is a South Korean multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, South Korea. It is the pinnacle of the Samsung chaebol, a ...
Co., Ltd. and Silicon Image
Silicon Image is a provider of semiconductors for the mobile, consumer electronics and personal computers (PCs). It also manufactures wireless and wired connectivity products used for high-definition content. The company’s semiconductor and IP p ...
, Inc. The Consortium is managed by SPMT, LLC, the entity responsible for licensing the SPMT memory interface specification.[ECN Magazine.]
SPMT Consortium Releases New Specification
" October 2, 2009. SPMT is a memory specification for dynamic random access memory
Dynamic random-access memory (dynamic RAM or DRAM) is a type of random-access semiconductor memory that stores each bit of data in a memory cell, usually consisting of a tiny capacitor and a transistor, both typically based on metal-oxi ...
(DRAM) that is based on SerDes rather than a standard parallel interface.
Technology summary
# 20 signaling pins for 6 GB/s performance
# Simultaneous Read/Write
# Low energy per bit – (4–5 pJ/bit effective)
# Self-clocking
# Low EMI
# High noise rejection
# Standard DRAM commands
# Burst lengths of 16, 32, and 64 bytes
# Low voltage differential signaling
Members
The SPMT Consortium is divided into three levels of membership: Promoters (Founders), Contributors, and Members.
* Promoters (Founders): Define, implement and promote Serial Port Memory Technology for broad market adoption as an industry standard Standard may refer to:
Symbols
* Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs
* Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification
Norms, conventions or requirements
* Standard (metrology), an object ...
.
* Contributors: Work in cooperation with the promoters and participate in the definition of future SPMT specifications.
* Members: Have access to the latest version of the SPMT specification and the rights to create innovative products that implement the technology. The SPMT Consortium assesses an annual fee from all members to help fund the marketing, administration and licensing activities of the Consortium.
Timeline of events
* May 18, 2009 - SPMT Consortium announced.
* July 21, 2009 - SPMT President appointed.
* August 17, 2009 - ARM joins SPMT as Promoter.
* August 31, 2009 - SPMT releases abridged specification.
* October 1, 2009 - SPMT releases new technology specification.
See also
* Physical layer
In the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking, the physical layer or layer 1 is the first and lowest layer; The layer most closely associated with the physical connection between devices. This layer may be implemented by a PHY chip.
Th ...
* Link layer
External links
SPMT.org Web site
References
{{reflist
Technology consortia
Computer memory