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Computational RAM: Implementing Processors in Memory

Published: 01 January 1999 Publication History

Abstract

Computational RAM (C·RAM) is an integrated circuit that implements a "smart memory" whereby processing elements are integrated into the memory chip. C·RAM can function either as a conventional memory chip or as a SIMD computer. When used as a memory, C·RAM is competitive with conventional DRAM in terms of access time, packaging and cost. In fact, adding processing elements to DRAM adds only 3-20% in area and 10-25% in power consumption. When used as a SIMD computer, C·RAM can run suitable parallel applications thousands of times faster than a CPU. We argue that the key to successfully integrating processing power to memory is to use an architecture that preserves and exploits the features and characteristics of memory. If effective use is to be made of the internal memory bandwidth, then adding logic to memory is not simply a question of bolting together two existing designs.

References

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N. Yamashita, et al., "A 3.84GIPS Integrated Memory Array Processor with 64 Processing Elements and 2Mb SRAM," IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 29, No. 11, Nov. 1994, pp. 1336-1343.
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    Information

    Published In

    cover image IEEE Design & Test
    IEEE Design & Test  Volume 16, Issue 1
    January 1999
    84 pages

    Publisher

    IEEE Computer Society Press

    Washington, DC, United States

    Publication History

    Published: 01 January 1999

    Author Tags

    1. C·RAM
    2. DRAM
    3. SIMD
    4. logic enhanced memory
    5. logic in memory
    6. processors in memory
    7. smart memory

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    • (2023)Power-Aware Neuromorphic Architecture With Partial Voltage Scaling 3-D Stacking Synaptic MemoryIEEE Transactions on Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) Systems10.1109/TVLSI.2023.331823131:12(2016-2029)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2023
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    • (2022)To PIM or not for emerging general purpose processing in DDR memory systemsProceedings of the 49th Annual International Symposium on Computer Architecture10.1145/3470496.3527431(231-244)Online publication date: 18-Jun-2022
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