17-11-2012, 01:52 PM
INTELLIGENT RAM(IRAM)
[attachment=39963]
INTRODUCTION
As the name suggests ‘Intelligent RAM’ is the integration of Intelligence and RAM. Intelligence stands for Microprocessor, and RAM, the random access memory which is the volatile memory that is an important part of computing systems from desktop computers to supercomputers. The goal of Intelligent RAM (IRAM) is to design a cost-effective computer by designing a processor in a memory fabrication process, instead of in a conventional logic fabrication process, and include memory on-chip.
HISTORY
Most desktop systems have 1 processor and 4 to 32 DRAM chips, but most server systems have 2 to 16 processors and 32 to 256 DRAMs. Memory systems have standardized on the Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM) or Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), which allows the end user to scale the amount of memory in a system
These disadvantages made the people to think of developing a new technology and as a result the integrated technology ‘Intelligent RAM’ came into exist. Intelligent RAM, or IRAM, merges processing and memory into a single chip
ADVANTAGES
Higher Bandwidth
A DRAM naturally has extraordinary internal bandwidth, essentially fetching the square root of its capacity each DRAM clock cycle; an on-chip processor can tap that bandwidth
Lower Latency
To reduce latency, the wire length should be kept as short as possible. This suggests the fewer bits per block the better.
Energy Efficiency
An IRAM will have many fewer external memory accesses, which consume a great deal of energy to drive high capacitance off-chip buses. The performance advantages of IRAM can be translated into lower energy consumption. Besides reducing the frequency of memory accesses IRAM also reduces the energy per instruction which is given by the equation,
Memory Flexibility
Another advantage of IRAM over conventional designs is the ability to adjust both the size and width of the on-chip DRAM. Rather than being limited by powers of 2 in length or width, as is conventional DRAM, IRAM designers can specify exactly the number of words and their width.
Low Cost of Production
Fabrication of RAM and Processor is done in a single fabrication line. So cost is reduced due to unified fabrication. Tax is reduced since no need for individual taxes for RAM and Processor. Since both cost of production and tax is less the market price of IRAM will be less than the combined price for RAM and Processor.. In fact it should be an obvious choice of performance conscious customers because it delivers high quality performance at bare minimum price.
Small Board Area
IRAM integrates several chips into ‘One Chip’. So board area is very much reduced due to integration. So it may be attractive in applications where board area is precious such as cellular phones or portable computers. Since the size and portability of devices is decreasing and increasing rapidly IRAM offers a well defined path for achieving the future goals.
Intelligent” Disk
An IRAM with high-speed serial interfaces could easily
supply the required memory capacity and network
bandwidth. With sufficient computing power, in addition
to calculating error correction codes, it could handle the
network and security protocols. As disks will dissipate between 5 and 20 watts, an IRAM for an Intelligent disk must be power efficient. An attractive chip for disk manufacturers might be a low-power IRAM with 4 to 16 MB of memory for disk caches and networking code plus serial I/O for the interface to disk and local area networks.
[attachment=39963]
INTRODUCTION
As the name suggests ‘Intelligent RAM’ is the integration of Intelligence and RAM. Intelligence stands for Microprocessor, and RAM, the random access memory which is the volatile memory that is an important part of computing systems from desktop computers to supercomputers. The goal of Intelligent RAM (IRAM) is to design a cost-effective computer by designing a processor in a memory fabrication process, instead of in a conventional logic fabrication process, and include memory on-chip.
HISTORY
Most desktop systems have 1 processor and 4 to 32 DRAM chips, but most server systems have 2 to 16 processors and 32 to 256 DRAMs. Memory systems have standardized on the Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM) or Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), which allows the end user to scale the amount of memory in a system
These disadvantages made the people to think of developing a new technology and as a result the integrated technology ‘Intelligent RAM’ came into exist. Intelligent RAM, or IRAM, merges processing and memory into a single chip
ADVANTAGES
Higher Bandwidth
A DRAM naturally has extraordinary internal bandwidth, essentially fetching the square root of its capacity each DRAM clock cycle; an on-chip processor can tap that bandwidth
Lower Latency
To reduce latency, the wire length should be kept as short as possible. This suggests the fewer bits per block the better.
Energy Efficiency
An IRAM will have many fewer external memory accesses, which consume a great deal of energy to drive high capacitance off-chip buses. The performance advantages of IRAM can be translated into lower energy consumption. Besides reducing the frequency of memory accesses IRAM also reduces the energy per instruction which is given by the equation,
Memory Flexibility
Another advantage of IRAM over conventional designs is the ability to adjust both the size and width of the on-chip DRAM. Rather than being limited by powers of 2 in length or width, as is conventional DRAM, IRAM designers can specify exactly the number of words and their width.
Low Cost of Production
Fabrication of RAM and Processor is done in a single fabrication line. So cost is reduced due to unified fabrication. Tax is reduced since no need for individual taxes for RAM and Processor. Since both cost of production and tax is less the market price of IRAM will be less than the combined price for RAM and Processor.. In fact it should be an obvious choice of performance conscious customers because it delivers high quality performance at bare minimum price.
Small Board Area
IRAM integrates several chips into ‘One Chip’. So board area is very much reduced due to integration. So it may be attractive in applications where board area is precious such as cellular phones or portable computers. Since the size and portability of devices is decreasing and increasing rapidly IRAM offers a well defined path for achieving the future goals.
Intelligent” Disk
An IRAM with high-speed serial interfaces could easily
supply the required memory capacity and network
bandwidth. With sufficient computing power, in addition
to calculating error correction codes, it could handle the
network and security protocols. As disks will dissipate between 5 and 20 watts, an IRAM for an Intelligent disk must be power efficient. An attractive chip for disk manufacturers might be a low-power IRAM with 4 to 16 MB of memory for disk caches and networking code plus serial I/O for the interface to disk and local area networks.