Design service extended to include custom memory solutions for AI applications

SureCore has announced the expansion of its sureFIT design service to include AI applications, utilising its memory design expertise to help AI chip developers accomplish their complex power and performance goals.

Paul Wells, CEO at sureCore, explains: “AI can be a daunting new challenge for many chip developers. Because of the computational intensity, AI chip designers need to pay special attention to power consumption. They can no longer make do with standard memory solutions and must innovate at the memory sub-system level to deliver lower and lower power targets. Our sureFIT design service is ideal for AI applications. We are excited that we can offer our many years of expertise designing for high performance, low power and low voltage memory to help AI customers.”

The design service enables bespoke memory solutions tailored to meet specific application needs. The team has recently worked with cutting-edge companies developing Server-AI and Edge-AI SiCs. In both cases, the underlying memory architecture -is increasingly seen as a critical factor in delivering a competitive solution. Raw performance or ultra-low voltage operation will help move the dial in the Server or Edge spaces. However, achieving the step change needed to stand out from the crowd involves crafting a bespoke memory sub-system architecture, including in-memory compute capabilities. This will reduce data traffic to and from the processor, thereby increasing the efficiency of model execution.

Another area where sureCore’s engineering team delivers considerable value is its deep understanding of the nature and importance of statistical analysis where large memory arrays are concerned. Many AI chips will integrate millions of bit cells, and whether these are foundry-designed or custom, it is crucial that their behaviour at the operating extremes is well understood and characterised to guarantee at least Six Sigma performance. Only by doing so can competitive yields be achieved.

Wells concludes: “AI chip developers demand ultra-low power memory IP, and the sureFIT design service can deliver on their complex design and PPA requirements. Time-to-market is also key for AI applications, and we believe that sureCore has the team, methodologies and experience to dramatically help accelerate the delivery of these challenging AI devices.”