New error-correction chip promises to shrink flash memory
updated 09:45 pm EDT, Tue August 17, 2010
Technology uses probabilistic processing
A new chip, created by startup Lyric Semiconductor, promises to shrink flash memory and provide new methods for spam filtering or other processes. The technology utilizes "probability processing" to solve certain problems that can benefit from determining the probability of bits being zero or one. Lyric's LEC chips are designed with new gates, architecture and language dedicated solely to processing probabilities.
The LEC components are said to perform the same basic function as current error-correction chips, necessary for flash memory, but with a form-factor 30 times smaller than current alternatives. Aside from the small form, the chips are also claimed to provide a substantial increase in power efficiency.
The technology is reportedly capable of decoding real-world flash data with error rates as high as 1 bit per 100. Such performance is expected to be necessary for next-generation flash, as increasing storage density brings higher error rates.
Lyric plans on beginning mass production sometime in the next 12 months. [via Wired]
