SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — SK hynix (or “the Company”, www.skhynix.com) announced on February 16 that it has developed PIM, a next-generation memory chip with computing capabilities.
PIM(Processing In Memory) is a next-generation technology that provides a solution for data congestion issues for AI and big data by adding computational functions to semiconductor memory. It has long been assumed that memory chips store data and that CPUs or GPUs process data in the same way that the human brain does. Following its challenge to such an idea and attempts to pursue innovation in the next-generation smart memory, SK hynix has developed a breakthrough solution with the newest technology.
SK hynix will present its PIM technology at the 2022 ISSCC*, the world’s most renowned semiconductor conference, in San Francisco at the end of this month. The business anticipates that further efforts to innovate this technology will bring memory-centric computing, in which semiconductor memory plays a key role, a step closer to reality in devices like smartphones.
SK hynix has produced a sample of GDDR6-AiM (Accelerator* in Memory) as the first product to use PIM technology. The GDDR6-AiM enhances the computational capabilities of GDDR6* memory chips, which handle data at a rate of 16Gbps. When GDDR6-AiM is used in conjunction with a CPU or GPU instead of traditional DRAM, some computation speeds are increased by 16 times. Machine learning, high-performance computing, and big data computation and storage are all expected to use GDDR6-AiM.
The operating voltage of GDDR6-AiM is 1.25V, which is lower than the incumbent product’s working voltage of 1.35V. Furthermore, the PIM decreases data flow to the CPU and GPU, resulting in an 80 percent reduction in power consumption. As a result, SK hynix is able to meet its commitment to ESG management by lowering carbon emissions from devices that use this product.
SK hynix also plans to introduce a technology that combines GDDR6-AiM with AI chips in collaboration with SAPEON Inc., an AI chip company that recently spun off from SK Telecom.
“The use of artificial neural network data has increased rapidly recently, requiring computing technology optimized for computational characteristics,” said Ryu Soo-jung, CEO of SAPEON Inc. “We aim to maximize efficiency in data calculation, costs, and energy use by combining technologies from the two companies.”
Ahn Hyun, Head of Solution Development who spearheaded the development of the latest technology and product, said that “SK hynix will build a new memory solution ecosystem using GDDR6-AiM, which has its own computing function.” He added that “the company will continue to evolve its business model and the direction for technology development.”
SOURCE SK hynix Inc.