New 68-Nanometer Process Technology Reduces DRAM Die Size, Imparting Lower Power Consumption and Increased Speeds
Boise, Idaho
,
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
–
Micron Technology, Inc., today announced production sampling of its new
1Gb DDR2 device fabricated on 68-nanometer (nm) DRAM process
technology. The new process, coupled with Micron’s 6F² technology, has
enabled the world’s smallest production 1Gb DDR2 memory with a die size
of just 56mm². Mass production of its new 68nm 1 Gb DDR2 products is
expected to begin early next year, with DDR3 and other low-power DRAM
products expected to follow in the second half of the year.
“Micron continues leading the world in development of advanced memory
technology,” said Brian Shirley, vice president of Micron’s memory
group. “Our 68nm process technology offers our customers best-in-class
die sizes, power and speed benefits for their most demanding
applications.”
At the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting held in Washington D.C. this past week there were a number of significant announcements among the worlds major semiconductor heavy hitters. Perhaps the biggest was in future memory technology. Japan's Nikkei news service (subscription required) reports that The world's number three semiconductor firm Toshiba unveiled prototypes of 15 nanometer memory technology at the meeting, and expects to have mass market devices available within 4 years.
Such advancements in process technology will make 100 plus gigabit chips feasible. One thing is clear. Advancements in memory technology are well outpacing advancements in magnetic storage technology. And you thought that 8GB USB Memory key you have on your keychain was huge?
In a move that shows the fluidity of the english language as well as the questionable ways in which we use it, Merriam-Websters has named "w00t" as the Word Of The Year. We wonder whether or not this is the first time a word has been adopted into Merriam-Websters dictionary that contains numbers and letters. The Sacremento Bee reports...
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Expect cheers among hardcore online game enthusiasts when they learn Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year. Or, more accurately, expect them to "w00t."
"W00t," a hybrid of letters and numbers used by gamers as an exclamation of happiness or triumph, topped all other terms in the Springfield-based dictionary publisher's online poll for the word that best sums up 2007.
Merriam-Webster's president, John Morse, said "w00t" was an ideal choice because it blends whimsy and new technology.
