Again YMB:
Chuck Hong on August CC: "Two additional patents with strategic value were recently granted to Netlist. First, U.S. patent 918 recently issued and relates to power management features found on DDR5 memory modules. As the speed and power on memory modules increased significantly at DDR5, all standard memory modules for the first time, including those used in personal computers as well as servers will require power management features embedded in the module itself. This design concept to localized power management was invented and first deployed by Netlist over a decade ago in some of our early custom designs for high-performance memory modules."
Rambus: "A major change for DDR5 is power architecture. With DDR5 DIMMs, power management moves from the motherboard to the DIMM itself. DDR5 DIMMs will have a 12-V power management IC (PMIC) on DIMM allowing for better granularity of system power loading. The PMIC distributes the 1.1 V VDD supply, helping with signal integrity and noise with better on-DIMM control of the power supply."
IDT: "Power management integrated circuits (PMICs) developed for DDR5-based dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) addresses a broad range of computing platforms and enables next-generation platforms to take full advantage of DDR5 memory to realize greater performance, density and reliability while reducing overall system power. Distributed power management functions across each memory module – as opposed to centralizing them on the motherboard – brings inherent benefits to system thermal profiles, as well as reliability and scalability.
The rise of storage class memory (SCM) with unique voltage, current and power sequencing requirements is also a key trend requiring distributed power architectures.
New ultra-low current power states such as "quiescent" and "idle" modes can provide significant battery life extension compared to earlier motherboard power solutions. PMICs also include some of the most valuable reliability and serviceability (RAS) features from the server world such as fault protection, error injection, error logging and advanced telemetry into a wide range of platforms including notebook, desktop and embedded computing. "
So, our patents now go from "server only" to "all forms of computing." I like the sound of that.
Emil Nolde
