Samsung aims to boost on-device AI with new DRAM

Samsung has introduced the industry’s inaugural LPDDR5X DRAM, boasting speeds reaching up to 10.7 Gbps, setting a new standard in the field. Utilizing advanced 12-nanometer (nm)-class process technology, Samsung has not only achieved peak performance but also minimized chip size, surpassing existing low-power double data rate (LPDDR) options.

YongCheol Bae, Samsung’s Executive VP of Memory Product Planning, remarked, “With the increasing demand for low-power, high-performance memory, LPDDR DRAM is poised to extend its utility beyond mobile devices to encompass areas requiring elevated performance and reliability such as PCs, accelerators, servers, and automobiles.”

Bae emphasized Samsung’s commitment to sustained innovation, targeting product development tailored for the upcoming on-device AI era through strategic partnerships.

The importance of on-device AI capabilities is growing, underscoring the need for memory solutions like LPDDR that balance power efficiency with high performance.

Samsung’s new 10.7Gbps LPDDR5X not only offers a performance increase exceeding 25 percent and a capacity expansion of over 30 percent compared to its forerunner but also addresses the evolving demands of on-device AI with its optimal blend of high-capacity, high-performance, and energy-efficient memory requirements. The single package capacity of Mobile DRAM has been extended up to 32 gigabytes, marking a significant milestone for mobile and on-device AI applications.

Moreover, LPDDR5X integrates advanced power-saving features, including optimized power variation that dynamically adjusts energy usage based on workload and expanded low-power mode intervals for extended energy-saving periods. These improvements collectively enhance power efficiency by 25 percent over the prior generation, facilitating longer battery life for mobile devices and reduced energy consumption for servers, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership.

Samsung anticipates the initiation of mass production of the 10.7Gbps LPDDR5X by the second half of 2024, following comprehensive verification processes with mobile application processor (AP) and mobile device manufacturers.