+ FROM co DATE TIME ‘SUBJECT ATTACHMENT BODY Michele Clarke 08/15/1997 19:14:31 Rambus Confidential: Approved Q&A for latest patent (On August 12th, Rambus was issued the following patent: Patent No.: 5,657,481 ("Rambus ‘481") Title: Memory Device With Phase Locked Loop Circuitry Issue Date: August 12, 1987 Filing Date: November 15, 1996 Priority Date: Apri 18, 1990 ‘Claims: 18 with § independent claims ‘The 5 independent claims cover the following: (a) A memory device that receives an external clock and creates a local clock and includes phase locked loop circuitry which varies the delay of the local clock signal to create an internal, synchronized clock to operate the interface circuitry on the memory device. (b) A computer system having a bus, a bus master and the memory device in (a). (©) A memory device as in (a) but also having an input receiver that is Used to sample the external clock. (d) A memory device as in (a) but having phase locked loop circuitry sample the external clock to produce an internal clock synchronized to the external clock and having a controlled phase relationship with the external clock (@) A memory device in a computer system having a multiline bus, the memory device as in (a) but also having a receiver circuit coupled to the ‘multiline bus for receiving address, data and control information. Since some media outlets (e.g. The Microprocessor Report) report on the {granting of such patents, and since this patent covers fundamental memory technology, we've created a ‘party line' to help address any inquiries. The hhave been approved by legal, so if someone asks something that's not covered here, please try to get back to the person with the answer. Pls. let me know if anything's unclear. Thx, Michele {Q1: This patent is broad in scope. What, specifically, does this patent cover? A: It covers memory devices with phase-locked loop circuitry as well as the bus-based system designs that employ these devices. We stil need to evaluate which specific memory devices come under the scope of this patent. Q2: Do synchronous DRAMs (SDRAMs) use this patent? A: ta memory device does not incorporate phase-locked loop circuitry, i doesn't come under the scope of this patent. Q3: Do Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAMS use this patent? ‘A; We don't know yet. No DDR products exist for us to evaluate. (Q4: Do SyncLink DRAMs (SLDRAMs) use this patent? ‘A: We don't know yet. No SLDRAM products exist for use to evaluate. Q8: Do static RAMs (SRAMs) use this patent? Which SRAMs use this patent? ‘A: We don't know yet. We still need to evaluate which specific memory R 213296 ‘OUTSIDE COUNSEL ONLY cx0047-001Booy devices come under the scope ofthis patent. .Q6: Will Rambus seek royalties from SRAM companies? A: Since we don't yet know it SRAMs come under the scope of this patent, we're not prepared to comment at this time. Q7: Does this patent mean that you've patented a computer system design that uses a bus, a bus master, and memory? ‘A: No, it means that we've patented a computer system design that uses ‘bus, a bus master and this particular type of memory .Q8: Will Rambus go after system's companies who ship products using memory that violates Rambus patents? ‘A: Historically, Rambus licensing arrangements have been with semiconductor ‘companies. We expect our business model to remain constant in this regard. Q9: Is Rambus just being greedy? A: An essential part of the Rambus business model is the creation and licensing of intellectual property. This patent is fundamental to ‘our business. ‘Q10: When was this patent fled? How long did you have to wait to get this patent granted? ‘A: The date ofthis patent is April 18, 1990. it test R 213297 OUTSIDE COUNSEL ONLY ‘x0947-002