sureCore’s low power cryogenic memory might help data centers operate cooler by reducing SRAM power dissipation with the added benefit of greatly lowering the cooling burden, as both server chips and AI processors contain huge amounts of SRAM.
Data centers’ high power consumption is one of their main challenges. The growing use of AI in the form of large language models is making this worse. Research has indicated that chilling processor chips with high power consumption to liquid nitrogen temperature, around 77K, reduces power consumption seven times over.
However, the cooling expenses eat up almost half of this benefit. Still, an industry-wide focus on a possible four-fold decrease is understandable given the skyrocketing cost of electricity.
With technological advancements, SureCore is now able to create memory solutions down to 4K for quantum computing applications.
This technique may be used in 77K operations as well. Moving to sureCore’s low power cryogenic memory might help data centers operate cooler by reducing SRAM power dissipation with the added benefit of greatly lowering the cooling burden, as both server chips and AI processors contain huge amounts of SRAM.
Paul Wells, sureCore’s CEO explained, “As part of an InnovateUK funded project, we have worked closely with our partner Semiwise who have developed cryogenic transistor SPICE models. These have enabled us to port and tune our low power memory technology to work at temperatures down to 4K. The goal was not only to develop memory for cryogenic operation, but also to exploit our power saving techniques so as to minimise the thermal load in the cryostat. For a datacentre operating at 77K, similar challenges apply and, by saving up to 50% of the memory power, a significant cut in thermal dissipation is possible with knock-on effects for the cooling power budget.”
Professor Asen Asenov, CEO of SemiWise, added, “The key to successfully enabling the AI revolution is the availability of access to accurate cryogenic transistor SPICE models. This will allow IP developers to create suites of IP so that SoC developers can create next generation AI server chips. SemiWise has developed unique technology to engineer PDK-strength cryogenic SPICE models based on a limited suite of cryogenic measurements supplemented by TCAD simulations.”
SRAM is a fundamental component of any digital subsystem, and sureCore has used its cutting-edge expertise in ultra-low power memory design to create embedded SRAM that can function at temperatures as low as 77K (-196°C), which is required for quantum computers (QCs).
Furthermore, an industry-standard RTL to GDSII physical design pipeline may now be easily implemented as both standard cell and IO cell libraries have been re-characterized for operation at cryogenic temperatures.
As part of an Innovate UK initiative that it is spearheading, SureCore’s CryoMem line of intellectual property will shortly be tested at cryogenic temperatures on test chips.
Wells concluded, “We are very excited that a new application area has opened up for our ultra-low power memory technologies. Data centres have a heat problem and we can potentially provide a solution.”
For Further Info: www.sure-core.com | www.semiwise.uk
