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Memory is on the verge of a new era, surpassing boundaries and becoming smarter as SK hynix equips it with additional computing capabilities and AI acceleration.From ancient times to the present, when discussing memory, we've always assumed it as a data storage component, while CPUs and GPUs handle computation and data processing. SK hynix, however, challenges this long-standing notion, determined to overturn this age-old paradigm. The result is a groundbreaking solution, enabling the new generation of memory to be more capable, intelligent, and powerful, meeting the increasing performance demands of modern devices.SK hynix is pioneering a technology known as PIM (Processing In Memory), a solution to address bottlenecks in AI and big data processing by integrating computational capabilities into semiconductor memory. PIM is set to debut at the prestigious ISSCC 2022 (International Solid-State Circuits Conference) in San Francisco later this month, focusing on the theme 'Intelligent Silicon for a Sustainable World.' SK hynix aims to further innovate PIM technology, emphasizing concentrated computational power in memory, where semiconductor memory plays a crucial role, especially in devices like smartphones.
The inaugural product implementing PIM is the GDDR6-AiM (Acceleration in Memory) model, enhancing computational features in the GDDR6 memory chip, capable of processing data at speeds up to 16 Gbps. Combining GDDR6-AiM with CPU or GPU instead of conventional DRAM will accelerate computation by an additional 16 times. GDDR6-AiM is expected to have widespread applications in machine learning, high-performance computing, storage, and big data computation and storage.The GDDR6-AiM memory chip operates at a voltage of 1.25 V, lower than the current 1.35 V of GDDR6. Additionally, the integrated computational capabilities of PIM will minimize energy consumption for data transfer from memory to CPU/GPU, reducing power usage by up to 80%. This enables SK hynix to fulfill its commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management - a standard measuring factors related to sustainable development - by decreasing the carbon emissions of devices using this product.SK hynix also has plans to introduce a technology that combines GDDR6-AiM with AI chips in collaboration with SAPEON Inc., a recent spin-off from SK Telecom specializing in AI chips. SAPEON Inc.'s CEO, Ruy Soo-jung, stated: “The use of artificial neural networks has rapidly increased recently, demanding optimized computing technology tailored to the computational characteristics. This collaboration integrates the technologies of both companies to meet these demands.”Source
