SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hynix Semiconductor, Inc. (other-otc:HXSCF), LG Electronics (KRX:066570), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (other-otc:SSNLF) and Silicon Image, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIMG) today announced the formation of an industry consortium that promotes Serial Port Memory Technology (SPMT™) for broad market adoption as an industry standard. As the first-of-its-kind memory specification for dynamic random access memory (DRAM), SPMT will initially target the mobile handset market, enabling a new generation of devices capable of running highly data intensive, media-rich applications while at the same time extending battery life.

“I am extremely pleased to have such a stellar group of companies come together to form the SPMT Consortium to develop and promote a new memory interface architecture specification for the growing demands of media-rich mobile devices,” said Jim Venable, chief technology evangelist of SPMT, LLC. “Serial Port Memory Technology will represent a big step forward by offering mobile handset designers the ability to expand their horizon for a new generation of products.”

As future generations of handsets take on more functions typically seen in laptops, and as the line between cell phones and handheld media-intensive devices blur, new memory architectures will be required to handle demands for ever greater bandwidth while keeping power low and cost down.

“Successful solutions for mobile products need to deliver increased functionality and features while still providing extended battery life,” said JB Kim, senior vice president of memory products at Hynix Semiconductor. “SPMT is uniquely positioned to deliver on the requirements of leading-edge mobile devices and we are proud to be part of the team that will define the next-generation memory interface for this growing market.”

The SPMT Consortium was founded to provide the technology capable of delivering the bandwidth flexibility and scalability required by new generations of mobile devices, all at significantly reduced pin count, low power consumption, and at a lower cost.

The SPMT Consortium’s founding members (promoters) form the governing body of the organization and are, together with contributor members, responsible for developing the SPMT specification which features:

• Pin count reduction by a minimum of 40 percent compared to existing DRAM technologies;
• Flexible bandwidth ranging from 200 MB/s to 12.6 GB/s and higher;
• Single or multiple port configurations connecting to a single SPMT-enabled memory chip.

“As mobile handset devices evolve we are going to see a growing demand for media-rich applications supported by highly advanced memory devices,” said Myung Ryu of the development procurement team at LG Electronics. “Participating as a promoter in the SPMT Consortium helps us to ensure that the right technology is available to the industry at the right time for future product offerings.”

Opportunities to participate in the advancement of the Serial Port Memory Technology exist for contributors and adopters. The SPMT promoters welcome companies and organizations to contact the Consortium about joining the group. The application to join and information about membership fees can be found at http://www.spmt.com.

• Contributors work in cooperation with the promoters and participate in the definition of future SPMT specifications. Companies interested in becoming a contributor may submit their request for membership on the SPMT website.
• Adopters of the SPMT specification pay no royalties to the SPMT Consortium on any products resulting from the implementation of the specification. The SPMT Consortium will assess an annual fee from all adopters to help fund the marketing, administration and licensing activities of the Consortium.

“At Samsung, we are dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies and advanced processes to create new products that are of slim and simple design,” said Seijin Kim, vice president of memory products at Samsung Electronics. “We are pleased to work with the SPMT Consortium.”

“We are looking forward to contributing our high-speed serial technology and expertise to the SPMT specification,” said Eric Almgren, vice president of business development and intellectual property licensing at Silicon Image, Inc. “As new applications like high-definition 1080p video become a reality in the mobile handset market, advanced memory technology will be required to make such features a reality and SPMT is well positioned to lead that market segment.”

The SPMT promoters also announced the formation of the SPMT, LLC, the entity chartered with managing the day-to-day activities of administering the SPMT specification.

About SPMT, LLC

SPMT, LLC, founded in 2009 by leading mobile market companies, is the entity responsible for licensing the SPMT (Serial Port Memory Technology) specification as a royalty-free memory interface specification. The organization and its founding members define and implement SPMT for broad market adoption as an industry standard memory interface capable of delivering the bandwidth flexibility, scalability, reduced pin count and low power required by future generations of mobile devices. Consortium members include Hynix Semiconductor, Inc., LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Silicon Image, Inc. For more information about Serial Port Memory Technology and the benefits of SPMT membership, please visit http://www.spmt.com.

About Hynix Semiconductor Inc.

Hynix Semiconductor Inc. (HSI) of Icheon, Korea, is the world's top tier memory semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAMs") and Flash memory chips to a wide range of established international customers. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Stock Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about Hynix is available at www.hynix.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KRX:066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in 114 operations including 82 subsidiaries around the world. With 2007 global sales of USD 44 billion, LG is comprised of four business units - Mobile Communications, Digital Appliance, Digital Display and Digital Media. LG is the world's leading producer of mobile handsets, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, front-loading washing machines, optical storage products, DVD players and home theater systems. LG Electronics Mobile Communication Company (LG) is a leading producer of mobile handsets. LG creates handsets that provide optimized mobile experience to customers around the world with its cutting-edge technology and innovative handset design capabilities. With advanced wireless solutions, LG is rapidly expanding its presence and market share globally. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Silicon Image, Inc.

Silicon Image, Inc. is a leading provider of semiconductor and intellectual property products for the secure distribution, presentation and storage of high-definition content. With a rich history of technology innovation that includes creating industry standards such as DVI and HDMI, the company’s solutions facilitate the use of digital content amongst consumer electronics, personal computer (PC) and storage devices, with the goal to securely deliver digital content anytime, anywhere and on any device. Founded in 1995, the company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with regional engineering and sales offices in China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.siliconimage.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the features, time-to-market, cost and other advantages and benefits of serial port memory technology and SPMT, LLC. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the claims made regarding the features, functionality, cost, advantages and anticipated benefits and market adoption of the SPMT technology, as well as those risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Silicon Image’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These risks and uncertainties could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Silicon Image assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

SPMT and the SPMT logo are a trademark, registered trademark or service mark of SPMT, LLC. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the Unites States and/or other countries.