Munich Design Center has been designing GDDR memory modules for the past few months, since it was first allowed to start operating earlier this year, in May to be exact. After months of continued work, the laboratory can finally be said to have reached full-scale operation, having been officially inaugurated. The Munich-based laboratory is all set to begin operations of memory evaluation, design and development of next-generation products, among which are GDDR3 and, soon enough, GDDR5 memory modules.

According to Elpida, the lab has the full set of equipment needed for all the intended research and development operations, including resources for the creation of GDDR5 memory modules, which Elpida will soon get permission to produce. The company has already set the course for the development of a 2-gigabit GDDR5 aimed for mass-production beginning with third quarter 2010.

GDDR 5 has two parallel DQ links, which provide a doubled I/O throughput compared with GDDR4. Elpida has already started deliberations with GPU vendors aimed at establishing business partnerships focused on the post-GDDR5 graphics memory products, which will become the next-generation graphics solutions. Nevertheless, the company intends to use the highly advanced technological capabilities for development contained in the Munich Research Center as the central element in high-speed graphics memory design and testing.

The technologies were licensed earlier this year from the German company Qimonda AG, a spin-off of Infineon. With the license in hand, Elpida is set to start delivering sample shipments of its DDR3 products in December. The respective products have already been evaluated by the Munich Test Laboratory. Licensing of the GDDR5 will further propel the enterprise in the field of high-speed memory research, development and manufacture.

Elpida is also interested in business initiatives, such as working with German universities and companies and even with the Munich and Bavarian government authorities.