Intel Labs and ITRI Recently Co-Announced a Low Energy Experimental Memory Array

Taipei, Dec. 6, 2012 (CENS)--Intel Labs and the Taiwan government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) recently co-announced a low energy experimental memory array that could significantly advance 3-D stacking and system optimization of memory.

This innovative new array architecture allows highly-condensed memory to dramatically increase memory energy efficiency while increasing the performance of the memory, according to the two organizations.

By creating memory with much greater energy efficiency, devices will be able to achieve improved battery life, faster integration of mobile data, improved graphics with higher resolution, and enhanced mobile user experiences.
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This experimental memory array is the first demonstration in a series of research efforts in advanced memory architectures between the two organizations. The research is expected to lead to development of further innovations in interconnect and system architecture, providing significant improvements in energy, cost, and performance.

In 2011, Intel Labs and ITRI started a research collaboration on super-fast but extremely energy-efficient memory array architectures for future ultra-mobile devices, such as Ultrabooks, tablets, and smartphones, as well as tomorrow’s exascale computing and cloud mega-datacenters. The research collaboration includes the creation of experimental memory arrays, prototyping and the development of model simulation software.

ITRI has been partnering with Intel Labs to explore new breakthrough memory technologies to allow significantly improved efficiency, said Cheng-Wen Wu, Vice President and General Director of ITRI’s Information and Communications Research Laboratories.

Leveraging the 3D integration projects supported by Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, this collaboration represents an effort to assist Taiwan-based foundries to meet future market challenges. 3D technology has been considered as a significant impact on the development of future memory products and high-end application processors.

Besides the experimental memory array project, Intel, according to Intel Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Justin Rattner, is carrying out other joint projects with ITRI and the prestigious Taiwan National University.

Rattner said these joint efforts create exciting opportunities for technical innovation and growth opportunities in the new era of computing. He added that Taiwan has long been at the forefront of technology innovation and the company looks forward to continued research collaboration that sustains Taiwan’s status as a major center of innovation for the global IT industry.