Computational RAM: Implementing Processors in Memory

  • Authors:
  • Duncan Elliott;Michael Stumm;W. Martin Snelgrove;Christian Cojocaru;Robert McKenzie

  • Affiliations:
  • -;-;-;-;-

  • Venue:
  • IEEE Design & Test
  • Year:
  • 1999

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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.