potential OUM news see yahoo MB ener
-Re: Elpida OUM
by: ener_renaissance 09/19/05 12:02 pm
Msg: 152838 of 152863
>flash can not replace DRAM , go back to school.
Allow me to elaborate:
I never implied that flash could replace DRAM, although it can in certain low-performance markets.
My statement was that OUM was expected to replace flash and then DRAM in that order. The Elpida news shows that they are using OUM to replace their DRAM technology:
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tinyurl.com
"Elpida plans to use phase-change capacitors in DRAMs next year
Alternative technologies for memory that can also be erased and rewritten will take a little longer, but apparently not as long as once thought. While Intel and STMicroelectronics may be pursuing phase-change memory as a mainstream replacement technology for flash from the 32nm node when shrinks run out of steam, Elpida Memory says it plans to use phase-change chalcogenide film in some low-power DRAM capacitors starting as early as next year.
The company licensed Ovonyx’s GeSbTe thin-film technology earlier this year, already in use to record data on rewritable CDs and DVDs by changing the material between crystalline and amorphous states. Elpida’s Takao Adachi, CTO of the technology and development office, said the GST capacitors will cut DRAM power consumption by extending the time needed between refreshes down to once a month, for example, while also solving the reliability problems that typically occur with thinner capacitors. Adding the phase change layer only takes a couple of extra mask steps, and the company expects total production cost to actually be lower than conventional DRAMs, while speed remains about the same. Adachi noted they avoid the usual contamination problems by isolating the chamber used to make the GST film."
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Now, this article is incorrect in their use of the term "phase change capacitor", but this shows that OUM will likely present itself as DRAM prior to that of a flash replacement product. Elpida is still "refreshing" the OUM DRAM, but only on the order of once per month instead of thousands of times per second.
Do note that this sort of DRAM would still displace flash in many segments where cost is favored over absolute data retention - you'd still have a month to recharge your portable device before you lost the data.
This is huge news. I can't wait for the actual announcement.
Posted as a reply to: Msg 152821 by danzaharia |
