As of 2020, the DDR5 test samples launched by SK Hynix and Micron have made people look forward to the commercial prospects of DDR5. For example, SK Haili's DDR5, in terms of parameters, its memory bandwidth is at least twice that of DDR4 memory; the frequency of the memory starts at 3200MHz and can reach up to 8400MHz. From DDR3 to DDR4, the bandwidth increased by 33% (from 1600MHz to 2133MHz). At the same time, SK Hynix's goal is to increase the bandwidth of each DIMM by more than 50%.

The introduction of DDR5 into automotive systems not only improves safety, but also improves memory, processing, reliability, and performance. Recently, Micron emphasized this point. It manufactured the industry's first low-power DDR5DRAM memory that meets key hardware points.

Before delving into the intersection of automotive memory and hardware security, we must first know the three levels of DRAM:

1. Standard DDR: For servers, cloud computing, networking, notebook computers, desktops, and consumer applications, it supports wider channel widths, higher densities, and different shapes and sizes. DDR4 is currently the most commonly used standard in this category, supporting data speeds up to 3200 MPa. But once it reaches DDR5, the bandwidth speed is expected to reach 6,400 MPa.

2. Graphics DDR: For data-intensive applications that require very high throughput, such as graphics-related applications and data center acceleration. Switch to, any graphics-based DDR5 that can enable 3.7GB/s full HD video files.

3. Low-power mobile DDR: used in mobile and automotive applications that are very sensitive to the area and power consumption. LPDDR provides narrower channel widths and several low-power operating states. LPDDR4 and LPDR4X support data rates up to 4267Mbps, which are commonly used standards of this type.

Although this level of security and speed are the main characteristics of memory devices, designers should consider other design features of DDR5. For example, DDR5 has a lower operating voltage VDD, which means less noise immunity. In addition, due to independent power management in DDR5 embedded integrated circuits, designers will be more flexible in complex automotive designs.

Classification of new LPDDR5 and ASIL (Micron).

The new LPDDR5 memory released by Micron recently is intended to improve car safety. LPDDR5 is accompanied by a wide range of functional safety certifications to further reduce risks through system integrators, including ADAS, in-vehicle infotainment systems, digital cockpits, and machine learning system architectures. In addition, Micron has simplified the system design to speed up the time to market for automotive customers. Of course, the equipment meets the level of automotive safety integrity.

LPDR5 can solve system and hardware failures

LPDDR5 usually includes a safety mechanism for detecting and controlling memory errors during operation, which meets the highest level of safety standards.

Micron divides the safety risks of automotive storage into two types: system failures and hardware failures. System failures are handled by the memory ECC to detect classification errors during data transmission. Hardware failures must be resolved during the testing and manufacturing phases.

Memory is an important part of any electronic system in applications such as mobile devices, the Internet of Things, automobiles, and cloud data centers. SoC designers must choose the appropriate storage technology to provide the necessary performance, capacity, power, and area. DDR has become a realistic storage technology that can be used in various types, including standard DDR and low-power DDR. The latest standards LPDR5 and DDR5 provide higher performance with lower power consumption. The operating speed of LPDR5 is up to 6400Mbps, low power consumption, and multiple RAS functions. Among them, the clock architecture is novel, which can simplify timing closure.

DDR5DRAM with a DDR rate of up to 6400Mbps supports higher densities, including dual-channel DIMM topologies to improve channel efficiency and performance. In the highly monopolized DRAM market, Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix compete with each other in the LPDR5 field. Among them, Samsung announced the successful development of the industry's first 10nm-class 8GbLPDR5DRAM in the first half of 2019, and subsequently launched 12Gb and 16GbLPDR5; SK Hynix also launched LPDR5 products. However, specification-level DRAM has just emerged. In autonomous driving, safety is the top priority of all vehicles, especially those equipped with automatic systems. As DDR5 enters the automotive market, various sensors, controllers, switches, and doors will flourish because they will simultaneously operate and transmit data at a faster and safer speed than before.