Rivals Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are joining forces to standardize the “Low Power Double Data Rate 6 – Processing in Memory” (LPDDR6-PIM) technology, according to information from Business Korea.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of low-power memory products. Currently in its initial stage, the focus of the partnership is to register the standard with the Joint Electron and Device Engineering Council (JEDEC), in addition to discussing the technical requirements and specific characteristics of LPDDR6-PIM memory, such as the “internal bandwidth”, which refers to the data transfer rate within the memory itself.
Significant alliance for the market
The alliance between the two South Korean giants is significant, considering that both have been competing directly in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market for a long time.
Recently, SK hynix surpassed Samsung in profits, reporting 7.3 trillion won in the third quarter of 2024, while Samsung reported 3.86 trillion won. The increase in demand for more memory, driven by the growth of artificial intelligence, has motivated cooperation between companies, which seek to optimize resources instead of developing distinct and non-standardized solutions.
Therefore, it can be concluded that both see the development of PIM technology as an opportunity for growth, following previous initiatives to create PIM products independently, such as Samsung’s HBM and LPDDR5-PIM projects and SK hynix’s GDDR6-PIM .
O what is LPDDR6 and its applications
LPDDR6 (Low Power Double Data Rate 6) is the next generation of low-power RAM designed to deliver greater performance, energy efficiency and responsiveness for mobile devices and consumer electronics.
As the successor to LPDDR5, LPDDR6 will bring significantly higher data transfer rates, allowing devices to process information faster and more efficiently.
| Feature | LPDDR5 | LPDDR6 |
|---|---|---|
| Data Transfer Rate | Up to 6.4 Gbps | Above 10 Gbps |
| Energy Consumption | Low, with energy efficiency improvements | More efficient, with a focus on further reducing energy consumption |
| Bandwidth Capacity | Limited, suitable for current mobile device processing | Higher bandwidth, ideal for new AI and IoT demands |
| Latency | Reduced, but depends on communication between memory and processor | Lower latency with PIM integration, reducing data traffic between memory and CPU |
| Main Applications | Smartphones, tablets, laptops ultrafinos | Mobile devices, AI systems, IoT, advanced automotive |
| Integrated Processing Technology | Not available | Supports PIM (Processing in Memory), which allows direct processing in memory |
| Efficiency in AI and ML | Limited capacity to meet AI demands | Optimized for the growing volume of data in AI and machine learning |
LPDDR6 is widely used in devices that demand high performance but also need to save energy to extend battery life. This includes smartphones, tablets, ultra-thin laptops, as well as applications in the automotive industry such as intelligent vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
With the growing demand for artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, LPDDR6 becomes an attractive solution to handle the large volume of data that these applications process, ensuring greater bandwidth and efficiency.
Another promising field of application for LPDDR6 is the Internet of Things (IoT) sector for connected homes and cities. IoT devices require efficient memory as they often operate in power-constrained environments.
LPDDR6’s high throughput and optimized power consumption make it an excellent choice for keeping devices connected and running efficiently, from wearables to industrial equipment.
What is PIM (Processing in Memory) technology?
The technology PIM (Processing in Memory)or “In-Memory Processing,” is an innovative approach to hardware design that integrates processing power directly into the memory module itself.
Unlike traditional systems, where processing and memory are separated, PIM allows certain operations to be carried out within the memory chip itself, without the need to constantly send data to the central processor.
In conventional systems, when the processor needs to access data stored in memory, there is a constant exchange of information between the CPU and RAM, which can generate performance bottlenecks and consume a lot of energy.
PIM exists to reduce these problems by allowing memory to directly perform certain operations, such as simple mathematical calculations and data movements, minimizing communication between the processor and memory.
Therefore, with the addition of “Processing in Memory” (PIM) technology, as in the collaboration between Samsung and SK hynix, the LPDDR6 has everything to become even more powerful.
Fonte: Business Korea
Source: https://www.adrenaline.com.br/hardware/samsung-sk-hynix-se-juntam-memorias-lpddr6/
