Samsung Unveils Fusion Memory Chip

Samsung Electronics has created an innovative memory chip designed to boost the processing speed in mobile phones for handling digital video and other data-intensive applications.

The OneDRAM chip, currently in the prototype phase of development, is designed for next-genneration smartphones and handsets, as well as game consoles and other products that handle 3D graphics.

By using a new design, Samsung claims, a single OneDRAM chip can replace two memory chips in high-end handhelds and thereby sharply decrease the time that it takes to transfer data between internal processors while also saving valuable space inside.

Multimedia Demands

Currently, the demand for music, video, and other multimedia content in mobile applications has prompted device manufacturers to employ two separate processors, one for voice communications and another for media.

Samsung claims that the OneDRAM device, which channels processing traffic between communications and media functions, results in a five-fold increase in speed. In addition, the chip reportedly cuts power consumption by some 30 percent, meaning longer battery life for mobile devices.

The new chip is noteworthy, said IDC analyst Sean Ryan, given that manufacturers continue to pack more features into their small-scale products.

"The trend in mobile devices is to add music and video players, as well as larger displays, all of which require more power," Ryan said, citing recent smartphones such as the Motorola Q, BlackBerry Pearl, and BlackJack. As a result, he said, reducing power consumption by 30 percent becomes very attractive to device makers.

Coming Soon

And while more people are using their phones as MP3 players or to stream TV shows and other video clips, business users are accessing e-mail, surfing the Web, and sharing documents wirelessly, Ryan noted.

Any improvement in mobile data processing is a boon for wireless operators as well, the analyst said, because they are in the process of rolling out third-generation networks and want to increase the data traffic on those systems.

Samsung projects that handsets using the OneDRAM processor will be introduced by the second half of 2007.