Intelligent Memory samples LPDDR4 ECC DRAM

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Intelligent Memory  is expanding its DRAM line with a new series of LPDDR4(X) devices with integrated ECC (error correction code) capabilities. LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X memory are designed to run at very high speeds with very low operating voltages and power consumption. However, these attributes increase the risk of random bit-flips and can result in software malfunction or erratic data, the company said.

ECC is becoming increasingly important across applications that use LPDDR4 memory, including industrial and automotive electronics such as camera, communication, and control devices for ADAS. The challenge, according to the company, is that JEDEC hasn’t prepared the LPDDR4(X) memory technology to support a x40 or x72 bit-wide memory bus that is normally used to store the parity bits for ECC operation. This means common controllers and CPUs are not able to perform ECC error correction with LPDDR4(X) memory.

Intelligent Memory solved the problem by performing all ECC-related activities inside the LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X ECC DRAMs . The integrated ECC logic automatically generates, stores, and verifies parity bits held in a separate memory area, said the company, and any single-bit-errors get corrected before the data output occurs.

In addition, the LPDDR4 and LPDDR4X DRAMs with built-in ECC logic still meets the original JEDEC specifications, including pinout and timing, for LPDDR4.

These devices target higher reliability applications, offering operating temperature ranges for industrial and automotive applications. All available parts operate over the -40°C to 95°C industrial temperature range. Higher temperature ranges up to 125°C as well as AEC-Q100-qualified automotive products are under development and will be available on request.

Samples are available in 4-GB and 8-GB options with an x32 organization (two channels of 16 bits) in a FBGA 200 standard package. The company expects to release 2-GB and 4-GB single-channel x16 bit-wide products by the end of Q4 2019, followed by versions with up to 16 GB in x32 (two channels) and 8 GB in x16 (single channel) next year. Free samples are available from Intelligent Memory’s distribution partner, Memphis Electronic.