Technical Developments in DRAM and NAND Memory
Micron has announced details of its technical roadmap for the coming years, with a focus on strengthening AI infrastructure. The company is basing its plans on the new 1δ (1-Delta) manufacturing node, which is the successor to the 1γ (1-Gamma) node. It features angstrom-level control capabilities and a CMOS structure with HKMG technology, allowing for a bit density increase of approximately 25% compared to the previous generation.
The Future of DDR6 and LPDDR6 Memory
Micron plans to support next-generation memory standards such as DDR6 and LPDDR6 via the 1-Delta node, with DDR6 expected to provide double the bandwidth offered by DDR5. The company is primarily targeting this technology toward AI data center servers to ensure high reliability, rather than targeting personal computers directly in the initial phase.
The company also revealed plans to produce 1TB RDIMM modules, which aim to meet the needs of massive AI workloads. Regarding LPDDR6 memory, expectations point to a 35% improvement in power efficiency compared to LPDDR5, with ongoing collaboration with partners such as Meta to deploy this memory in data centers.
Innovations in Design and Storage
Micron is moving toward adopting a 6F² DRAM design instead of 4F², in order to overcome scaling and complexity limitations associated with capacitor designs. The company is also working on developing advanced technologies including:
- vHBM: A vertically stacked design that places memory directly above the processing chip to increase bandwidth efficiency per watt.
- NAND G11: A new generation of NAND flash memory containing over 400 layers, aimed at doubling bit density and increasing input/output speed by 1.5 times, while reducing power consumption by 25%.
What Does This Development Mean?
This roadmap represents a direct response to the increasing demand for high performance in AI data centers. The transition to technologies such as 6F² and vHBM indicates that the company is seeking to push beyond the traditional physical limits of semiconductor manufacturing. The 1-Delta node is scheduled to enter commercial production in the second half of 2027, setting a clear timeline for companies that rely on this infrastructure to expand their computing capabilities.