14 DAY TRIAL // Even though most cellphones made do with greyscale screens until several years ago, technology has evolved so far that the market is now littered with handsets capable of video playback and 3D gaming. Of course, as such devices become more sophisticated, better processing, memory and video technologies are required. To address at least one of these aspects, Elpida has entered the spotlight in order to announce that it has finished development of its latest, and smallest, 2Gb DDR mobile DRAM.
The new DRAM measures 50 square millimeters (50mm2) and is based on the 40nm manufacturing process. It has a per pin data-transfer rate of 400Mbps (a speed of 400MHz) and consumes only 1.8V or 1.2V. Additionally, the chip can boast either a 60/90-ball FBGA or PoP-type FBGA packaging.
Basically, Elpida did its best to make sure that this memory solution is as small as small can get, at least with current technological means. The new chips are meant to be used in all manner of handsets, such as smartphones, where their low operating voltages and compact size will allow for slimmer and more powerful gadgets to be made.
In fact, one of these new 2Gb chips consumes less than half of the power required by two 1Gb DRAMs and has double the data density compared with 50nm-based chips of similar size.
“In the market for DRAM used in handheld mobile devices, the need for DRAM products that can conserve greater amounts of space and power is unrelenting given the ongoing evolution of small and lightweight mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices. In recognition of this need, Elpida has commercialized 2-gigabit DDR Mobile RAM that is the smallest 40nm process chip in the DRAM industry and features lower power consumption through optimizing circuit and layout design and use of its own unique design methods,” the official announcement states. Set to start being mass-produced in July, at the company's Hiroshima Plant, the 2Gb DDR mobile DRAM should start sampling next month.