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DRAM and Memory System Trends
Steven Woo, Rambus Inc.
ABSTRACT
Over the past 20 years, rising processor speeds and architectural advances such
as superscalar processing and simultaneous multithreading have fueled dramatic
increases in CPU performance. During this time DRAM performance has increased
more slowly, forcing the performance of computer systems to become increasingly
limited by their memory systems. More recently, additional challenges to DRAM
and memory system design have come from emerging computing environments such as
game consoles, graphics engines, laptops, and handhelds, whose requirements are
different from those of previous computing systems. As these and other
computing environments evolve, each will require memory systems that emphasize
performance, form factor, power, and total system cost in different ways.
Looking forward, increasing demands are being placed on memory systems as
future systems increase performance through a combination of higher frequencies
and architectural enhancements such as multiple processor cores. While memory
latency continues to be important for future systems, the demand for memory
bandwidth is growing. As memory system speeds increase to meet rising bandwidth
demands, physical limitations are challenging the abilities of system designers
to maintain good signal integrity and to deliver the bandwidth needed by these
systems. This talk discusses some of the trends and challenges facing DRAMs and
memory systems, and how both are evolving to meet the needs of future computing
systems.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Steven Woo is a Senior Principal Engineer at Rambus Inc., one of the world's
leading providers of advanced chip interface products and services. Since
joining Rambus Inc. in 1996, Steve has worked on both the memory architecture
team and the memory product planning and marketing team. Steve's past work at
Rambus includes architecture development, performance analysis, thermal
analysis, event-driven simulation, and product planning for Rambus memory
technologies. Prior to joining Rambus, Steve worked in the Neural Network
Technology Center at Hughes Aircraft Company, Ground Systems Group. Steve
received BS Engineering (1986) and Master of Engineering (1988) degrees from
Harvey Mudd College, and MS (1991) and PhD (1996) degrees in Electrical
Engineering while working in the Computer Systems Laboratory at Stanford
University.
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