Samsung Electronics has developed a prototype fusion memory chip that can significantly increase the data processing speed between processors in mobile applications.
Samsung expects to use its fusion solution OneDRAM in phone handsets, game consoles and in other digital applications, especially those that use 3D graphics.
The 133MHz 512Mb device incorporates a dual-port approach to reduce the time that it takes to transfer data between processors. Data managed by the processors is housed in a shared bank where the space for storing data can be adjusted accordingly. This meets the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) low power double-data-rate (LPDDR) memory standard.
Due to rapidly increasing demand for multimedia features in mobile applications, designers have been specifying the use of two separate processors; a communication processor and a media processor. The OneDRAM will channel data between the processors through a single chip eliminating the need to specify DRAM and SRAM chips for buffer memory.
Along with the faster data processing speeds between the processors, the OneDRAM reduces power consumption by 30 per cent, lessens the number of chips needed and minimises area coverage by 50 per cent. This result could be a five-fold increase in the speed of mobile phone and gaming console operations, longer battery life and slimmer handset designs.
A single OneDRAM can replace two mobile memories in high-end smart phones and other multimedia handsets. In addition, by adjusting the hardware in the chipset, OneDRAM can cost-effectively reduce system circuitry, while maximising overall operational efficiency.
Samsung expects its OneDRAM to be introduced in handsets by the second half of 2007.
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