Memory

Researchers from HP Labs have proven the existence of what had previously been only theorized as the fourth fundamental circuit element in electrical engineering.

This scientific advancement could make it possible to develop computer systems that have memories that do not forget, do not need to be booted up, consume far less power and associate information in a manner similar to that of the human brain.

Computer memory that combines the high performance and reliability of flash with the low cost and high capacity of the hard disk drive could be closer than you think, thanks to a team of IBM (NYSE: IBM) scientists.

In two papers published in the April 11 issue of Science, IBM Fellow Stuart Parkin and colleagues at the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose describe both the fundamentals of a technology dubbed "racetrack" memory as well as a milestone in that technology. This milestone could lead to electronic devices capable of storing far more data in the same amount of space than is possible today, with lightning-fast boot times, far lower cost and unprecedented stability and durability.

Project X in a new DDR3-2000 2GB (2x 1GB) kit from Super Talent Technology.

This "kit" is built with the fastest available, carefully screened DRAM chips, and is hand tested as a matched pair on a dual channel Asus Striker II Extreme motherboard.

Micron Technology, Inc. is sampling 4 gigabyte (GB) DDR3 modules, designed using 2 gigabit (Gb) components, to provide the industry’s highest density DDR3 modules for notebook computers. The fast speeds, high-density and low-power of Micron’s portfolio of DDR3 modules – ranging in density from 512 megabytes (MBs) to now 4 GBs – allow these systems and applications to perform more effectively and utilize power more efficiently.

Hynix Semiconductor Inc. and Grandis Inc. have signed a long-term license agreement for memory products incorporating Grandis’ patents and intellectual property in spin-transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM). The two companies have also entered into a collaborative agreement to jointly integrate Grandis’ fundamental STT-RAM technology into Hynix’s future memory products.

STT-RAM is a next-generation, non-volatile memory (NVM) solution that overcomes the limitations of conventional magnetic RAM (MRAM) technologies. While existing memory technologies prove to be very difficult for manufacturing beyond the 40-nm process node, STT-RAM shows excellent scalability with shrinking design rules, which translates to greater density and, ultimately, lower cost per die. STT-RAM also consumes less power than existing mainstream memories, and provides unlimited endurance as well as fast read/write capability.

Intel Corporation has finalized and closed its transaction with STMicroelectronics and Francisco Partners to create a new independent semiconductor company Numonyx B.V. that will design, develop and manufacture NOR and NAND flash memory products. As part of the transaction, Intel has transferred the assets associated with its NOR flash memory business and certain assets related to the company's phase change memory initiatives to Numonyx in exchange for 45.1 percent ownership in Numonyx. ST Microelectronics acquired a 48.6 percent ownership interest in Numonyx. Francisco Partners acquired a 6.3 percent ownership interest in exchange for a cash investment of $150 million. As part of the overall transaction, Numonyx will receive $450 million of debt financing at closing from Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A and Unicredit Banca d'Impresa S.p.A in addition to a $100 million committed revolving credit facility. The loan has a 4-year term and Intel and STMicroelectronics have each provided Numonyx and the banks with a guarantee of 50 percent of the indebtedness.

The world’s slimmest 256GB solid state drive (SSD) launched by Super Talent Technology.

The FSD56GC25H uses an industry standard 2.5-inch hard drive form factor and uses an industry standard SATA-I interface, making it 100% interchangeable with conventional 2.5-inch SATA hard drives. This SSD implements patented stacking technology to pack an enormous amount of solid state storage into an exceptionally small and slim case, measuring a mere 12.5mm thick – 40% thinner than any other 256GB SSD available. The signature black case is made from a durable lightweight aluminum alloy.

The R1WV6416R Series of 64 Mbit Advanced Low-Power SRAM (Advanced LPSRAM) with the highest LPSRAM capacity are currently available, from Renesas Technology Corp., and the R1LV3216R Series of 32 Mbit Advanced LPSRAM with compact chip size. Sample shipments of the 32 Mbit products will begin in April 2008, and of the 64 Mbit products in July, in Japan.

-- HyperX DDR3 memory modules, from Kingston® Technology Company, Inc., have been SLI-certified by NVIDIA® Corporation, as part if its program to offer gaming enthusiasts solid platform/memory compatibility, stability and performance solutions when building high performance systems using the new series of NVIDIA nForce 790i SLI platforms.

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) announced today that Toshiba Corp.'s first multi-level cell (MLC) NAND-flash-based solid-state drives (SSDs) have started mass production. The initial models to begin shipping this month are 128GB drives in a lightweight, 15 gram embedded module form factor.

To achieve performance levels of 100MB/second read and 40MB/second write in these first generation drives, Toshiba utilized a SATA II interface and an innovative MLC controller supporting fast read-write speed, parallel data transfer, and wear-leveling. As a result, Toshiba SSDs achieve overall PC Benchmark scores that are better than 5400 rpm and 7200rpm HDDs and comparable to selected SATA SLC NAND SSDs3 . The SSD drives excel in Windows Vista™ boot speed, application loading, general usage and virus scan operations. Compared to hard disk drives, SSDs realize a number of advantages that address needs in the mobile computing market for performance, ruggedness, and lightweight, compact form factors. For more information on the Toshiba SSD product family, please visit ssd.toshiba.com.