Samsung Electronics Vice President Hanjinman: "Leading Memory Development Through Open Innovation"

Han Jin-man, Vice President and Head of Strategic Marketing at Samsung Electronics Memory Business Division, delivering the closing keynote speech at the '2021 GSA Memory+ Conference' held online by the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) on the 15th. (Photo by Samsung Electronics Newsroom)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Han Jin-man, Vice President and Head of Strategic Marketing at Samsung Electronics' Memory Business Division, stated that future memory technology must support unprecedented levels of performance and connectivity to cope with the data explosion caused by COVID-19 and other factors. He emphasized that Samsung Electronics will lead the development of next-level memory through open innovation.

On the 15th, during the closing keynote speech at the '2021 GSA Memory+ Conference' held online by the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA), Han addressed the challenges and new roles faced by memory semiconductors amid increasing data usage driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and big data utilization.

Han said, "One impact of the pandemic is witnessing a massive increase in data usage, and this trend will continue. Moreover, we are seeing growing demand for powerful memory innovations and various types of memory systems," introducing AI, autonomous driving, and 5G as "systems that can support technological expansion."

He continued, "Until now, the memory industry has focused on meeting demands for larger capacity, faster speed, and higher bandwidth. However, to respond to the increasing demand, we must move beyond focusing on individual innovations and look at the bigger picture." He added, "Within this bigger picture, we have been exploring innovative ways to reduce data movement to resolve the paradox of improving performance while simultaneously reducing power consumption."

At the event, Han introduced Samsung Electronics' memory semiconductor innovations to date. Samsung has led fine process innovation with DRAM applying EUV and HKMG process technologies for the first time in the memory industry. Through innovative technologies like HCB, it has optimized thermal performance, and in V-NAND technology, it has secured foundational technology to overcome physical height limitations by implementing the same number of layers at a lower height.

In particular, he explained that recently Samsung has continuously introduced new memory solutions such as △ the world's first HBM-PIM, which integrates memory and system semiconductors △ AXDIMM, a DRAM module with computing capabilities △ Smart SSD, an SSD with computing functions △ and CXL DRAM, which can overcome DRAM capacity limits.

Han stated, "Samsung Electronics is leading the development of next-generation memory solutions that can support new system architectures," and added, "We will take the lead in open innovation through collaboration with global companies to continuously develop memory semiconductor technologies suitable for the fast and complexly changing IT industry."

The GSA, which hosted the conference, is an association established to discuss cooperation and development within the semiconductor ecosystem, involving global IT companies from semiconductor manufacturers, software, platforms, and more. At this conference, participants discussed advancements in next-generation memory and system design methods necessary for the data era under the theme 'Designing the Digital Future.'

Meanwhile, Lee Seok-hee, President of SK Hynix, delivered a keynote speech at the conference, stating that the role of memory semiconductors is expanding due to the surge in data processing demand caused by COVID-19. He said, "Along with the expanded use of memory semiconductors, the value is extending beyond traditional scaling to social and smart domains." Lee emphasized, "Cooperation across the entire semiconductor ecosystem is necessary," and added, "We must shift to a partnership-based cooperative relationship to provide new value and opportunities to customers and markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.