Samsung squeezes DRAM and SRAM into OneDRAM

SAMSUNG says it has developed a prototype 'fusion' memory chip that can significantly increase the data processing speed between processors in mobile applications.

Dubbed OneDRAM, the chip is will find its way into mobile phone handsets, game consoles and in other digital applications, especially those that use three-dimensional graphics, the company said today.

The 133MHz 512Mb device obviates the need to use two separate processors - a communication processor and a media processor - in mobile devices. The new OneDRAM channels data between the processors through a single chip eliminating the need to also specify DRAM and SRAM chips for buffer memory.

Samsung reckons the chippery can reduce power consumption by 30 percent. It also takes up less space. Samsung claims a five-fold increase in the speed of cell phone and gaming console operations as well as longer battery life and slimmer handset designs.

Samsung said it expects its OneDRAM to be introduced in handsets by the second half of 2007.