VLT technology or to subvert the pattern of DRAM industry

 

In October 11th, Technology Kilopass announced the introduction of vertically layered thyristor (Layered Thyristor Vertical) technology, referred to as VLT technology. AccVLT technology or to subvert the pattern of DRAM industry

 

In October 11th, Technology Kilopass announced the introduction of vertically layered thyristor (Layered Thyristor Vertical) technology, referred to as VLT technology. According to Kilopass chief executive officer Cheng Charlie said the low cost, low power consumption, high efficiency, easy manufacturing and many other advantages, it is possible to subvert the current pattern of the DRAM industry.

 

DRAM technology is most suitable for Cloud Computing / server market

 

Cheng Charlie pointed out that the overall market is relatively stable DRAM, the future with the PC, mobile and other aspects of market demand, the new growth will appear in the cloud computing / server and other market areas. However, the current DRAM technology used in the field of the market is facing the problem of too high power consumption.

 

The current DRAM technology is the storage unit, the basic structure is the 1 transistors with a capacitor (1T1C). This memory cell structure is currently only 20nm process, subject to the size and capacity of the capacitor, the size of DRAM to reduce and then go down very difficult.

 

At the same time, because the smaller transistors bring more leakage current, and smaller capacitor structure has less capacitance, which will lead to the interval between the two refresh must be shortened. The refresh cycle frequency accelerating, raw bandwidth as high as 20% in 16Gb DDR DRAM will be lost, this to multi-core / multi-threaded server in the CPU burden, so CPU had to squeeze every little to keep the system competitive performance.

 

For the mobile phone, PC and other market areas, the expected operating temperature at 37.5 degrees Celsius, the traditional DRAM technology has little impact on power consumption. But for the year in 80 degrees Celsius above the temperature environment of the server, the reduction of the power consumption is essential.

 

VLT development of the Kilopass technology, it is through the vertical way to achieve the thyristor structure, the formation of a latch, completely abandoned the traditional DRAM needs of the capacitor. Therefore, no longer need to refresh cycle, there is no leakage, performance utilization can reach 100%, while the region can be clearly separated from the "0" and "1" signal.

 

"Compared with the most mainstream DRAM technology, VLT technology is compatible with the existing DDR standard, can shrink the size of nearly 30%, standby power consumption decreased by 10 times, 15% improvement, the wafer illumination processing step is reduced by 1/3, reduce the cost of 45%."

 

Cheng Charlie told reporters. He said that the compatible process technology and CMOS logic used by VLT, also do not need to adopt the new material on the production line, the original enterprise does not need to change too much can produce VLT technology based DRAM products, can also use the simulator software to adjust the technology and yield.

 

It is understood that the operation and device test VLT storage unit was completed in 2015, a complete test of memory chip has been taped out successfully in May, early chip testing is ongoing, validation of the new generation of 10nm technology is expected to be completed in 2017.

 

Second way to develop the memory industry in China?

 

Charlie Cheng pointed out that VLT technology to avoid the traditional manufacturing capacitor in DRAM manufacturing ditch, can bypass the current DRAM memory three giant technology licensing restrictions, it is of special significance for the development of their own industry Chinese to memory.

 

As we all know, the memory industry is becoming an important direction of China's semiconductor investment. In recent years, Wuhan new core plans to invest $24 billion to build the domestic integrated circuit memory industry base, Fujian Province Jinhua memory integrated circuit production line project with an investment of 37 billion yuan, and violet group announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Wuhan new core was renamed after the Yangtze River storage technology company.

 

Cheng Charlie told reporters that although VLT technology can not replace the existing DRAM technology, but can become China's development of the second path DRAM memory industry. And at present compared to the traditional DRAM technology to continue along the route, VLT technology required investment amount is not big, but has been verified in 20 nm to 31 nm process, is an independent development of feasible technology road.

 

In addition to the need to pay kilopass licensing fees and verification costs, about $1 million to be put into operation." Cheng Charlie revealed to reporters.

 

Of course, this technology also has its limitations. VLT storage unit of reading and writing, Intel and micron XPoint adopted by way of reading and writing, can only rely on the voltage change sent, this way of reading and writing is a great challenge facing the promotion of practical technology VLT.

 

He said, Kilopass will be in the world to choose 3~4 companies do authorization, the current has been related to Wuhan to do.

 

According to the reporter, Kilopass is a Silicon Valley intellectual property (IP) product providers, its business model is similar to ARM, rely on technology licensing profits. Its independent research and development of embedded one-time programmable (OTP) technology in the global DRAM market has accounted for 60% of the share. For VLT technology license, Kilopass will use the way to ship the chip. ording to Kilopass chief executive officer Cheng Charlie said the low cost, low power consumption, high efficiency, easy manufacturing and many other advantages, it is possible to subvert the current pattern of the DRAM industry.

 

DRAM technology is most suitable for Cloud Computing / server market

 

Cheng Charlie pointed out that the overall market is relatively stable DRAM, the future with the PC, mobile and other aspects of market demand, the new growth will appear in the cloud computing / server and other market areas. However, the current DRAM technology used in the field of the market is facing the problem of too high power consumption.

 

The current DRAM technology is the storage unit, the basic structure is the 1 transistors with a capacitor (1T1C). This memory cell structure is currently only 20nm process, subject to the size and capacity of the capacitor, the size of DRAM to reduce and then go down very difficult.

 

At the same time, because the smaller transistors bring more leakage current, and smaller capacitor structure has less capacitance, which will lead to the interval between the two refresh must be shortened. The refresh cycle frequency accelerating, raw bandwidth as high as 20% in 16Gb DDR DRAM will be lost, this to multi-core / multi-threaded server in the CPU burden, so CPU had to squeeze every little to keep the system competitive performance.

 

For the mobile phone, PC and other market areas, the expected operating temperature at 37.5 degrees Celsius, the traditional DRAM technology has little impact on power consumption. But for the year in 80 degrees Celsius above the temperature environment of the server, the reduction of the power consumption is essential.

 

VLT development of the Kilopass technology, it is through the vertical way to achieve the thyristor structure, the formation of a latch, completely abandoned the traditional DRAM needs of the capacitor. Therefore, no longer need to refresh cycle, there is no leakage, performance utilization can reach 100%, while the region can be clearly separated from the "0" and "1" signal.

 

"Compared with the most mainstream DRAM technology, VLT technology is compatible with the existing DDR standard, can shrink the size of nearly 30%, standby power consumption decreased by 10 times, 15% improvement, the wafer illumination processing step is reduced by 1/3, reduce the cost of 45%."

 

Cheng Charlie told reporters. He said that the compatible process technology and CMOS logic used by VLT, also do not need to adopt the new material on the production line, the original enterprise does not need to change too much can produce VLT technology based DRAM products, can also use the simulator software to adjust the technology and yield.

 

It is understood that the operation and device test VLT storage unit was completed in 2015, a complete test of memory chip has been taped out successfully in May, early chip testing is ongoing, validation of the new generation of 10nm technology is expected to be completed in 2017.

 

Second way to develop the memory industry in China?

 

Charlie Cheng pointed out that VLT technology to avoid the traditional manufacturing capacitor in DRAM manufacturing ditch, can bypass the current DRAM memory three giant technology licensing restrictions, it is of special significance for the development of their own industry Chinese to memory.

 

As we all know, the memory industry is becoming an important direction of China's semiconductor investment. In recent years, Wuhan new core plans to invest $24 billion to build the domestic integrated circuit memory industry base, Fujian Province Jinhua memory integrated circuit production line project with an investment of 37 billion yuan, and violet group announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Wuhan new core was renamed after the Yangtze River storage technology company.

 

Cheng Charlie told reporters that although VLT technology can not replace the existing DRAM technology, but can become China's development of the second path DRAM memory industry. And at present compared to the traditional DRAM technology to continue along the route, VLT technology required investment amount is not big, but has been verified in 20 nm to 31 nm process, is an independent development of feasible technology road.

 

In addition to the need to pay kilopass licensing fees and verification costs, about $1 million to be put into operation." Cheng Charlie revealed to reporters.

 

Of course, this technology also has its limitations. VLT storage unit of reading and writing, Intel and micron XPoint adopted by way of reading and writing, can only rely on the voltage change sent, this way of reading and writing is a great challenge facing the promotion of practical technology VLT.

 

He said, Kilopass will be in the world to choose 3~4 companies do authorization, the current has been related to Wuhan to do.

 

According to the reporter, Kilopass is a Silicon Valley intellectual property (IP) product providers, its business model is similar to ARM, rely on technology licensing profits. Its independent research and development of embedded one-time programmable (OTP) technology in the global DRAM market has accounted for 60% of the share. For VLT technology license, Kilopass will use the way to ship the chip.