Researchers in South Korea have developed a computer that can efficiently save data without power. It is the first time such a machine has been built which could help in minimizing energy consumption in the future.
The feat was achieved by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Jung Myoung-soo, an electrical engineering professor who led a research team succeeded by innovating a first of its type hardware. The team invented the Lightweight Persistence Centric System or Light PC, a machine that saves data even when the electricity supply is out.
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An Innovative Memory System
The key lies in the evolution of storage unit intervention. There are different methods of retaining data on computers. Most computers use Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) chips as the main memory storage architecture. The problem is they consume much power and also lose data when power is off or the computer is shut down.
Then there is a different memory system called Optane Memory for the storage unit. Although, this too does not retain each data as it runs too slow. American tech firm Intel announced the product back in 2015.
To ensure most data are secure, tech companies utilize a checkpointing technique. This helps regularly send data to physical drives. The problem is this consumes time and incurs high power usage. So both these were not adept for the South Korean team to build their prototype.
Instead, the South Korean team used only a persistent memory processor. This means the Light PC requires no rebooting process to save data even when there is no power flow.
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Light PC is 73% More Power Efficient
Besides, Light PC also allows a high performance like DRAM with the technology innovation in parallel computing. In parallel computing, multiple processes are possible simultaneously. But with Light PC, users will have 8 times larger memory and run get 4.3 times more applications and programs.
“Based on large computer memory and reliable services, Light PC can help data centers or other facilities that use high-tech computers meet their net-zero carbon emission goals,” said the research team leader Jung.
He also added that the Light PC is 73 percent more power-efficient than existing computers.
The Light PC technology has applications across other machines too. Jung said the same technology in smartphones, IoT, and vehicles to save battery. Don’t miss: WhatsApp Updates: New Features for Web and Voice Messages
The research team will present the Light PC research paper at the upcoming International Symposium on Computer Architecture in New York.
What do you think of this computer and the innovative memory technology? Share with us in the comments below.
