Samsung Develops 12-Layer 3D TSV DRAM: Up to 24 GB HBM2

Samsung on Monday said that it had developed the industry’s first 12-layer 3D packaging for DRAM products. The technology uses through silicon vias (TSVs) to create high-capacity HBM memory devices for applications that benefit from high memory bandwidth and capacities, such as higher-end graphics, FPGAs, and compute cards.

Samsung’s 12-layer DRAM KGSDs (known good stack die) will feature 60,000 TSV holes which is why the manufacturer considers its technology one of the most challenging packaging for mass production. Despite increase of the number of layers from eight to 12, thickness of the package will remain at 720 microns, so Samsung’s partners will not have to change anything on their side to use the new technology. It does mean that we’re seeing DRAM layers getting thinner, with acceptable yields for high-end products.

One of the first products to use Samsung’s 12-layer DRAM packaging technology will be the company’s 24 GB HBM2 KGSDs that will be mass produced shortly. These devices will allow developers of CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs to install 48 GB or 96 GB of memory in case of 2048 or 4096-bit buses, respectively. It also allows for 12 GB and 6 GB stacks with less dense configurations.

Samsung did not disclose how much will 12-layer 24 GB HBM2 devices cost, but since they will be available exclusively from Samsung, we expect the manufacturer to charge a premium.

Here is what Hong-Joo Baek, executive vice president of TSP (Test & System Package) at Samsung Electronics, had to say:

“Packaging technology that secures all of the intricacies of ultra-performance memory is becoming tremendously important, with the wide variety of new-age applications, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and High Power Computing (HPC). As Moore’s law scaling reaches its limit, the role of 3D-TSV technology is expected to become even more critical. We want to be at the forefront of this state-of-the-art chip packaging technology.”

Google is hiding OEM gesture navigation systems on Android, can’t include in setup

Android 10’s new gesture navigation system is a bit of a mixed bag, but it’s what Google wants to be a standard across every Android device. Now, we’re learning that Google is going to force OEMs to hide their own gesture navigation systems in Android, even going so far as to not include them in the setup wizard.

9to5Google was provided a copy of the latest version of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) agreement that OEMs have to abide by. This document lays out requirements for Android device makers, and it reveals a lot of interesting information about what device makers have to be compliant with. One interesting section of the document talks about gesture navigation systems.

Back at I/O 2019, Google confirmed that device makers would be able to keep making their own systems, but they would also be forced to include the new Android 10 gestures as well as the traditional three-button setup.

Thanks to this document, we’re getting further clarification on Google’s requirements. Apparently, any Android device using GMS that launches on Android 10 will need to ship out of the box with either the classic three-button or the new Android 10 gestures. If a device ships with the gestures by default, the three-button setup must be supported as an optional setting.

Notably, this effectively kills off the two-button “pill” navigation from Android Pie, as Android 10 devices can’t include it as a “user-selectable option.” Google mentions that devices being upgraded to Android 10 are strongly encouraged to keep that option in place. We’ve seen this on Pixel and Essential devices, but OnePlus removed the “pill.”

Another interesting tidbit from the GMS document is that Google is essentially forcing OEMs to hide their own gesture navigation systems. While they can be included on a device, Google says that they cannot be advertised by the “Setup Wizard or any other method” including pop-ups or notifications. Obviously, these systems also cannot be the default option.

Further, OEMs are forced to bury their systems one level deeper in the settings menu. Google gives the example of putting it under “Advanced or similar.” Clearly, Google doesn’t want users to have easy access to third-party systems. Google also reminds partners that their own gesture navigation systems must still be CDD compliant.

We’re not entirely sure how OnePlus’ modified Android 10 gestures fit into this picture, at least based on this document, although there is mention of “implementation details” without further information.

Windows Insider Program is Leaderless

And I mean that literally: Dona Sarkar is moving on to a new role at Microsoft, and hopefully there will be major changes.

“Dona Sarkar [has] been a steward for the program and tireless advocate for the community and the important role you play,” Microsoft corporate vice president Eran Megiddo writes. “Though bittersweet, today I’m proud to announce that Dona will be moving to a new role at the company. She will be joining the Microsoft Developer Relations team to lead advocacy for Citizen Developers, especially how they use the Power Platform (Microsoft Flow, PowerApps and Power BI).”

The Windows Insider Program plays an outsized role in how Microsoft enthusiasts interact with the company, but it has, unfortunately, had little positive impact on the quality of Windows 10. So I’m hoping that this change will lead to some improvements in the program. Certainly, Dona has seemed distracted by her other ventures, especially this past year, and the program seems to have moved from being engineering-focused to being purely about marketing.

Microsoft says that it is currently looking for a new leader for the Windows Insider Program. In the meantime, the old crew will continue interacting with the community, though it’s not clear if they too will have to find work elsewhere at the company. Hopefully, the Insider Program can return to its former glory either way.