A short for PCRAM, the phase-changing random access memory chip is all about storing data in a series of 0s and 1s by changing the nature of the physical properties of chalcogenide glass.
The working theory is straightforward. If electric current flows through the glass, it generates heat changing the state of the base material from crystalline to amorphous. The change of the state, or phase in turn can create high resistance in amorphous state and low resistance in crystalline state. Data can be stored in the switch between the high and low resistance state, which represents 0s and 1s, respectivey.
The resistance can be retained with no power in the same way that non-volatile NAND flash memory chips keep data with power off, but the PRAM stands out in its ability to store data twice the NAND flash memory chips, read and write it 100 times faster and at less power budget.
More importantly, it costs less to manufacture, compared with NAND flash memory chips, because its structure is relatively simple.
SK Hyinx said on June 10 that it has agreed with IBM to jointly commercialize PCRAMs. The IBM and SK Hynix alliance is the third of its kinds ever joining in the race to put the PCRAMs to commercial use.
Intel and STMicroelectronics has been working together to bring the PCRAMs to commercial use and unveiled the world’s first MLC, or multi-level cell PCM array prototype, which can store 0s, or 1s by switching between four different states, not two, in February 2009.
The PCRAM chip technology by Intel and STMicroelectronics store data in a string of 0s and 1s, which representing fully amorphous, fully crystalline, and two more different degrees of partial crystallization.
Samsung Electronics and Numonyx B.V is another joint contender, who is scrambling to jump on the PCRAM bandwagon. In April 2010, Numonyx unveiled its Omneo line of 128-Mbit NOR-compatible PCRAM, while Samsung showcased a 512Mb PCRAM in a multiple chip package in April 2010.
IBM is a relatively newcomer, which came up with a multi-level cell PCRAM prototype in June 2011. Since it got to work on the PCRAM development in 2007, SK Hynix had been flexing its research muscle, and successfully developed 40nm class 1Gb (Gigabit) PCRAM along the way. With today’s agreement, SK Hynix and IBM will collaborate on developing PCRAM products that will be manufactured by SK Hynix.
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[sws_toggle1 title="PR News"> SK Hynix Inc. (or ‘SK Hynix’, www.skhynix.com) today announced a joint development agreement and a technology license agreement with IBM for the development of Phase Change Random Access Memory (or ‘PCRAM’) technology. IBM brings years of research experience in phase change memory technology, as well as profound know-how in developing multi-level cell (MLC) technology.
Last June, IBM researchers demonstrated a reliable multi-bit, phase-change memory technology that would allow computers and servers to boot instantaneously and significantly enhance the overall performance of IT systems.
Combining IBM’s expertise in such disciplines with SK Hynix’s cutting-edge manufacturing process optimization and cost competitiveness will help to accelerate the commercialization of PCRAM technology. Since the inception of PCRAM development in 2007, SK Hynix continued to build its foundation, and it successfully developed 40nm class 1Gb (Gigabit) PCRAM along the way.
With today’s agreement, SK Hynix and IBM will collaborate on developing PCRAM products that will be manufactured by SK Hynix. “By joining forces and making the best use of technological advantages and resources both companies offer in material, process, design and other areas through joint development and technology license agreements, we now have pushed the commercialization of PCRAM forward even further.” said Sung Joo Hong, Senior Vice President and Head of SK Hynix R&D Division.
"Phase-change memory technology has the potential to enable a new class of low-cost, high-performance memory technologies for consumer devices, cloud computing, data storage and other enterprise applications," said T.C. Chen, IBM Fellow and vice president of Science & Technology for IBM Research. "Working with SK Hynix will speed the development and production of PCRAM devices based on our breakthrough multi-bit, phase-change memory technology.”
PCRAM is a type of non-volatile random-access memory that exploits the property of resistance in crystalline and amorphous states to store data. The state of resistance can remain intact even in a condition with no power. PCRAM’s performance is expected to surpass that of today’s NAND Flash by 100 fold while enhancing durability by 1,000 fold, and PCRAM will operate with low power like DRAM.
With relatively simpler structure compared to other memory products, PCRAM will drive the production cost down considerably. PCRAM may be able to reshape the landscape of the memory industry by introducing storage-class memory (or ‘SCM’), a promising next generation memory class, designed to boost performance and reduce power consumption for enterprise servers. PCRAM will bridge a gap between the current DRAM and SSD (or ‘Solid State Drive’) as it takes the role of a buffer memory.
According to a market researcher Gartner, the memory opportunity for servers, which includes DRAM and SSD, will expand from US$8 billion in 2012 to US$16 billion in 2016, and the SCM opportunity, driven by PCRAM demands from leading server makers, will be worth US$1.4 billion and continue to grow for years.
“Alongside STT-MRAM and ReRAM currently under joint development with Toshiba and HP respectively, PCRAM will enrich our portfolio of the next generation memory technologies. SK Hynix will continue to endeavor to seek possible partnerships that will elevate our competence in the ever evolving semiconductor industry.” said Hyun Jong Song, Senior Vice President, Head of Future Strategy Division.
About SK Hynix Inc. SK Hynix Inc., Korea, is the world’s top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (“DRAM”), Flash memory chips ("NAND Flash") and CMOS Image Sensors ("CIS") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company’s shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange. [/sws_toggle1]