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The growth global 3D DRAM market is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing demand for high-performance and high-capacity memory, the growing popularity of cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), and the advancement of 3D NAND technology.
3D DRAM is enabling the miniaturization of electronic devices, as it allows for more memory to be packed into a smaller space. This is essential for the development of next-generation devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Major semiconductor manufacturers and memory module producers are actively investing in 3D DRAM technology, leading to increased competition in the market. Key players are focused on developing innovative solutions to maintain a competitive edge.
The global semiconductor supply chain dynamics, including factors such as raw material availability, geopolitical tensions, and global economic conditions, can impact the production and availability of 3D DRAM components.
Future trends in the 3D DRAM market may include advancements in stacking architectures, the emergence of new materials, and increased integration in diverse applications as the technology matures.
While 3D DRAM offers performance advantages, achieving cost-effectiveness in production remains a challenge. Manufacturers are working to optimize production processes to address cost barriers.
Despite the positive growth trajectory, the 3D DRAM market faces challenges related to manufacturing complexity, thermal management, cost considerations, and technological hurdles. Overcoming these challenges is essential for sustained market expansion.
3D DRAM, also known as stacked RAM or vertical RAM, is a type of semiconductor memory that stacks multiple layers of memory cells vertically on top of each other. This vertical stacking architecture allows for increased memory density and capacity compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) RAM, which only stores memory cells on a single plane.
3D DRAM is a type of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), which means that it stores data in a volatile manner, meaning that it loses its data when the power is turned off. However, DRAM is also a type of semiconductor memory, which means that it is much faster than other types of memory, such as magnetic RAM (MRAM) or optical RAM (ORAM).
The concept of 3D DRAM is being discussed, and much work is being done in the industry to create the machinery, advanced ALD, selective deposition, selective etch, and 2D materials for access devices. The simplest method for stacking DRAM cells is placing several dies on top of one another while maintaining the status quo in terms of DRAM technology.
In contrast to the current architecture, there are new techniques for creating dynamic memory cells that are more suitable for monolithic stacking. The majority of the work being done now, however, is being put into stacking numerous DRAM dies, which enables the current memory cell, which has had years to learn, to maintain its supremacy.
How 3D DRAM works
3D DRAM works by stacking multiple layers of DRAM cells vertically on top of each other. This is done by using a process known as through-silicon vias (TSVs), which are tiny holes that are etched through the silicon die to create electrical connections between different layers.
The TSVs allow for the DRAM cells to be connected in a three-dimensional manner, which allows for a much higher memory density than is possible with traditional 2D DRAM. This is because the memory cells can be packed more tightly together in three dimensions than they can in two dimensions.
Types of 3D DRAM
There are three main types of 3D DRAM:
Applications of 3D DRAM
3D DRAM is used in a variety of applications, including:
Benefits of 3D DRAM
3D DRAM offers a number of benefits over 2D DRAM, including:
Despite its many benefits, 3D DRAM market also faces a number of challenges, including:
3D DRAM is a promising technology that has the potential to revolutionize the semiconductor industry. It offers a number of benefits over 2D DRAM, and it is expected to play an increasingly important role in future electronics devices. However, 3D DRAM also faces some challenges, such as manufacturing complexity and cost. As the technology matures, we can expect to
Increasing demand for high-performance memory: The demand for high-performance memory is being driven by the growing popularity of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML). These applications require large amounts of memory with low latency, which 3D DRAM can provide.
Miniaturization of electronic devices: 3D DRAM is enabling the miniaturization of electronic devices, as it allows for more memory to be packed into a smaller space. This is essential for the development of next-generation devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Advancement of 3D NAND technology: The advancement of 3D NAND technology is making it possible to manufacture 3D DRAM at lower costs and with higher yields. This is making 3D DRAM more competitive with 2D DRAM.
Integration of 3D DRAM with other technologies: 3D DRAM is being integrated with other technologies, such as processors and logic circuits, to improve performance and reduce latency. This is being done through the use of technologies such as
3D packaging: 3D packaging allows for the stacking of multiple dies on top of each other, which can improve performance and reduce latency in 3D DRAM Market.
Interposers: Interposers are thin silicon wafers that are used to connect multiple dies together. They can be used to overcome the limitations of traditional wire bonding, which can limit performance and increase latency.
Development of new 3D DRAM architectures: Researchers are developing new 3D DRAM architectures that have the potential to further increase memory density and performance. Some of these architectures include:
XPoint memory: XPoint memory is a type of 3D DRAM that uses a crossbar array of memory cells. This architecture has the potential to be much faster than traditional 3D DRAM.
STT-MRAM: STT-MRAM is a type of 3D DRAM that uses spin-transfer torque (STT) to write data to memory cells. This architecture has the potential to be much more energy efficient than traditional 3D DRAM.
Adoption of 3D DRAM in automotive applications: 3D DRAM is expected to be increasingly adopted in automotive applications, such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. These applications require high-performance memory with low latency, which 3D DRAM can provide.
Development of 3D DRAM for next-generation computing architectures: 3D DRAM is being developed for use in next-generation computing architectures, such as neuromorphic computing and quantum computing. These architectures require memory with very high bandwidth and low latency, which 3D DRAM has the potential to provide.
The Global 3D DRAM market accounted for $XX Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2023 to 2030.
Samsung Electronics are accelerating the R&D of 3D DRAMs. The industry titan in semiconductors has begun to support allied groups by hiring staff. Drams were once created by placing transistors and capacitors in a straight line. However, once DRAM capacity surpassed 4 megabits, it became challenging to boost DRAMs’ density, necessitating circuit, and capacitor reorganisation.
The DRAM market at the time was split between “trench” manufacturers, who elected to bury circuits and storage devices beneath planes, and “stack” manufacturers, who opted to stack them on planes. The CAA configuration transistor 3D DRAM, which is based on the indium gallium zinc IGZO-FET material and has outstanding temperature solidity and dependability, has been made available by Huawei.
NEO Semiconductor, a pioneer in creating innovative architectures for 3D NAND flash and DRAM memory, announced the introduction of X-DRAM, its newest technological advancement. By reducing power consumption and boosting the performance of the main memory used in IT systems and consumer products, X-DRAM offers remarkable gains over the standard DRAM.
A vertical channel-all-around (CAA) transistor has been proposed by Huawei, a leading manufacturer of communications equipment in China, which may be appropriate for the creation of 3D-DRAM.
The component is a vertical column-shaped indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) field effect transistor (FET) made up of layers of IGZO, high-k dielectric hafnium oxide, and IZO. The thickness of the IGZO is about 3nm. About 8 nm thick, the HfOx and IZO. The critical dimension in-plane is 50nm, and the channel length in the vertical direction is 55nm.
The transistor achieves a sub-threshold swing of 92 mV/decade and a current density of 32.8 microamps/micron at Vth plus 1V. The transistor is a promising candidate for high-performance 3D DRAM beyond 1-alpha nodes in the future, according to the authors, who claim good thermal stability and reliability from -40 degrees C to +120 degrees C.
These thoroughly researched technologies are creatively combined by Monolithic’s 3D DRAM technology: monolithic 3D with shared litho steps between several memory layers, Ion-cut, double gate, single crystal Si, floating body RAM cell with body-stored charge. Leading DRAM manufacturers and major equipment suppliers are already considering monolithic 3D DRAM, the DRAM equivalent of 3D NAND, as a potential solution for long-term scaling.
Thanks to research from IBM and Micron, smaller, faster RAM with up to 128GBps transfer speeds might soon be available. The companies have created three-dimensional memory by vertically stacking separate DRAM chips that would typically need to be placed side by side.
However, the efficiencies gained aren’t just due to saving on space. Through-silicon vias, or TSVs, a novel invention that runs vertically through the stack of chips and serves as a conduit to the host device, enable communication between the stacked chips and the device.
The TSVs allowed the memory to test at 128GBps, which is ten times faster than the current memory. Additionally, IBM asserts that the chips are 70% more energy-efficient than current DRAM. The Hybrid Memory Cube technology developed by Samsung and Micron is anticipated to heavily rely on the new research. In two years, IBM and Micron expect it to be commercially available, with servers probably using it first.
