• SK hynix attended SEDEX 2023 as a leader in AI memory
• Commemorating its 40^th anniversary, SK hynix showcased its history and tenacity
• Company’s display of next-gen AI solutions such as HBM3E and AiMX attracted the crowds

SK hynix participated in Semiconductor Exhibition (SEDEX) 2023 at Seoul’s COEX from October 25–27 to showcase its advanced memory products and technologies which are leading the AI era.

Hosted by the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA), SEDEX is the country’s largest semiconductor exhibition which brings together all areas of the industry including companies that produce semiconductor materials, components, and equipment. For this 25^th SEDEX, a record 320 companies, organizations, and schools participated under the theme of “AI, Semiconductor Innovation, and the Power to Connect the Future”.

Figure 1. Visitors at SK hynix’s booth discovering the company’s technologies and products

To commemorate its 40^th anniversary, SK hynix presented its products under the theme “After 40 Years of Tenacious Commitment, Becoming the Global No.1 AI Memory Solution Provider.” The booth was separated into six zones that showcased its next-generation memory solutions for AI, server products, brand SSDs, SAPEON¹ AI chip, CMOS image sensors (CIS)², and sustainable social value (SV) initiatives, respectively. In addition, a digital wall featuring a timeline of the company’s past highlighted significant moments from its 40-year history.

¹SAPEON: An AI startup jointly founded by SK hynix, SK Telecom, and SK Square. The company has developed the SAPEON AI processor for data centers which offers rapid deep learning computation speed and low-power consumption.

²CMOS Image Sensor (CIS): A sensor that converts the color and intensity of light into electrical signals and passes them on to a processing unit. Serves as the “eyes” of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc.

Figure 2. SK hynix’s President and CEO Kwak Noh-Jung (front, center) visits the company’s booth during SEDEX 2023

SK hynix President and CEO Kwak Noh-Jung, who is also the president of KSIA, took a tour of 18 exhibition spaces including SK hynix’s booth, and showed his support for the development of the country’s semiconductor industry.

SK hynix’s newsroom also visited the company’s booth to take a closer look at the advanced memory products and AI solution on display, as well as its SV creation activities.

SK hynix’s Stellar Moments Presented on Its History Wall

Amidst SK hynix’s six zones that displayed its products, technologies, and sustainability management, the center of the booth featured a digital history wall. Commemorating the company’s 40^th anniversary, the wall highlighted key moments from the company’s establishment in 1983 to today.

Those key milestones include: the production of South Korea’s first 16K SRAM in 1984; the launch of the Blue Chip project in 2001 that modernized manufacturing processes with minimal expenditure; the launch of the rebranded SK hynix in 2012; record operating profits in 2018; and the start of construction on the Yongin semiconductor cluster in 2022.

Figure 3. The “40th Anniversary Wall” zone showcasing SK hynix’s major achievements

The wall also provided a glimpse into SK hynix’s vision of the Icheon-Cheongju-Yongin fab triangle. With the Yongin cluster planned to become operational in 2027, the company plans to optimize its production, increase its business efficiency, and transform South Korea into a global semiconductor mecca.

Showcasing Globally Leading AI Memory Technologies

With the emergence of generative AI services such as ChatGPT, semiconductor memory companies are rushing to develop AI technologies and services to meet the unprecedented demand for AI solutions. As such, SK hynix introduced two AI memory products based on HBM³ and AiM⁴ in the “Global No.1 AI Memory” zone.

³High Bandwidth Memory (HBM): A high-value, high-performance product that possesses much higher data processing speeds compared to existing DRAMs by vertically connecting multiple DRAMs with through-silicon via (TSV).

⁴Accelerator in Memory (AiM): SK hynix’s PIM semiconductor product name, which includes GDDR6-AiM.

HBM3E boasts industry-leading data processing speeds of 1.15 terabytes (TB) per second and is optimized to process large amounts of data for applications such as AI computing. At the booth, a video showing its improvements over its predecessor was played alongside a product sample.

AiMX accelerates AI processing by adding computational capabilities to memory products. Consequently, it has the ability to run large-scale language models at high speed and low power. Visitors to the booth were able to see prototypes of both the PIM⁵-based GDDR6-AiM and the AiMX cards which incorporate GDDR6-AiM.

⁵Processing-In-Memory (PIM): A next-generation technology that adds computational capabilities to semiconductor memories to solve the problem of data movement congestion in AI and big data processing.

Figure 4. Visitors viewing various SK hynix products such as HBM3E and AiMX at the “Global No.1 AI Memory” zone

In the “Server Solution” zone, the company showcased DDR5 for servers and eSSD products. Optimized for improving AI performance, the products meet the server industry’s need for low-power, high-performance DRAMs, as well as the IT industry’s requirements for mass storage.

Other products such as the DDR5 chip that supports AI computing in high-performance servers were also on display. Crowd favorites included DDR5 RDIMM which features the 5th generation of the 10nm process technology and boasts speeds of more than 6,400 megabits per second (Mbps), and MCR DIMM which reaches speeds of more than 8 gigabits per second (Gbps).

Three types of eSSD were also displayed: the PCle (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) Gen5-based PS1010 E3.S, PS1010 U.2 15mm, and PE9110 E1.S. These storage products attracted attention for their enhanced speed and durability that are optimal for big data and machine learning.

Figure 5. Visitors looking at DDR5, MCR DIMM, and eSSD products at the “Server Solution” zone

Exotic Beetle X31 Display and SV Activities Draw the Crowds

Beetle X31, a consumer SSD in the shape of an Egyptian scarab beetle, received positive reviews for its distinct design and its ability to maintain high performance levels while effectively dissipating heat. This “Brand SSD” zone was distinguishable from other exhibition spaces as it featured Egyptian hieroglyphics and art to highlight the exotic design of Beetle X31.

Figure 6. The Beetle X31 on display against an ancient Egyptian backdrop

In the “SAPEON” zone, samples of the SAPEON X220 AI chip were on display along with 5011Q, a CIS product that captures more light with large 1.0 micrometer (μm)-sized pixels. Unlike the conventional method of achieving high resolution by reducing the pixel size, 5011Q captures more light in large pixels to improve the image quality. At SEDEX 2023, SK hynix unveiled a mass-produced version of 5011Q for the first time.

Figure 7. Visitors viewing the latest semiconductor products including the SAPEON X220 AI chip and 5011Q CIS

In the “Social Value” zone, SK hynix presented its ESG activities and achievements that included its ongoing Eco Alliance⁶ operations, energy-efficient manufacturing, and water management practices. The zone also highlighted programs that contributed to SV creation and talent development. These included Hy-Five, which connects partnering companies with young jobseekers, and Hy-Po, which provides semiconductor internships to university students.

⁶Eco Alliance: An environmental union of semiconductor companies led by SK hynix and comprising leading semiconductor technology partner and member companies.

Figure 8. Visitors learning about SK hynix’s various ESG management activities at the “Social Value” zone

Meanwhile, SK hynix also organized fun activities for visitors. A quiz about the company and a semiconductor-themed pinball machine attracted crowds to the booth.

Figure 9. Visitors enjoying various events and games at SK hynix’s booth

Continuing a History of Innovation to Lead the AI Era

At SEDEX 2023, SK hynix showcased its 40-year history featuring a string of technological breakthroughs alongside its latest memory solutions. Having been a pioneer of the memory industry for decades, the company will continue this tradition of innovation as it looks set to lead the AI era for years to come.

The post Global No.1 AI Memory Solution Provider SK hynix Showcases Its 40-Year History & Road Ahead at SEDEX 2023 first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.

^*The company re-branded itself as SK hynix Inc. after joining SK Group in 2012.

SK hynix: Leading the Tech Sector with Innovative Solutions

Figure 1. SK hynix’s 2022 Innovations Leading the Tech Sector

Advanced technological innovation is a key part of becoming a leading technology business on the global stage. For SK hynix, it is continuously pushing the boundaries of technology to develop next-generation solutions.

This commitment to innovation was showcased early on in 2022 as the company unveiled the GDDR6-AiM, its first product which utilized Processing in Memory (PIM) technology, in February. The GDDR6-AiM is an AI accelerator with its own computational capabilities that significantly increases certain computation speeds. It’s anticipated to be adopted for machine learning, high-performance computing, and big data computation and storage.

Then, in April, SK hynix joined hands with Solidigm to introduce their first enterprise solid-state drive (eSSD), P5530. It combines SK hynix’s 128-layer 4D NAND flash with Solidigm’s SSD controller and firmware supporting a PCle Gen 4 interface. This limited release highlighted the partnership between SK hynix and its subsidiary Solidigm, which was formed after SK hynix acquired Intel’s NAND and SSD business in December 2021.

The innovations continued into the summer as SK hynix became the first company to mass produce HBM3, the world’s best-performing DRAM, in June—which it supplied to NVIDIA. The announcement came just seven months after the company became the industry’s first to develop HBM3, solidifying its leadership in the premium DRAM market.

SK hynix announced another industry-first in August as it unveiled the world’s highest 238-layer 512Gb TLC (Triple-Level Cell) 4D NAND. The chip is the most layered yet smallest NAND product out on the market. With plans for mass production next year, it simultaneously improves productivity, data transfer speed, and power efficiency.

In the same month, SK hynix reinforced its superiority in Compute Express Link (CXL) solutions when it developed its first DDR5 DRAM-based CXL memory samples. Two months later, SK hynix became the first in the industry to integrate computational functions into CXL memory by developing CMS, a computational memory solution that’s expected to improve system performance as well as energy efficiency for next-generation server platforms. These developments represented a chance for the company to expand memory and create a new market, as CXL is set to be a critical technology in optimizing memory solutions in the future.

SK hynix continued to reimagine technological limits in December when the company announced it had developed working samples of its DDR5 Multiplexer Combined Ranks (MCR) Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), the world’s fastest server DRAM product. The new MCR DIMM operates at a minimum data rate of 8Gbps and is at least 80% faster than existing DDR5 products. SK hynix expects demand for the MCR DIMM to be driven by high performance computing that will take advantage of the increased memory bandwidth.

A Global Ambassador: Exhibiting Leading Technology and Business Performance at Major Tech Events

Figure 2. 2022 Global Tech Events Attended by SK hynix

As the semiconductor industry continues to grow every year, collaborations between related companies and markets are essential for long-term growth. In 2022, SK hynix participated in numerous international exhibitions and events to not only strengthen cooperation with its partners but also showcase the company’s productivity and advancements.

At the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2022 at the beginning of the year in Las Vegas, SK hynix showed its commitment to SK Group’s larger carbon reduction efforts through its initiatives related to the manufacturing and packaging of its products. By showcasing its low-power semiconductors, water-free scrubbers, and biodegradable package materials, SK hynix highlighted its continued focus on the environmental impact of its products.

In March, SK hynix was the only company that presented a HBM3 at NVIDIA GTC (GPU Technology Conference) 2022. As a high-performing product able to drastically reduce power consumption in data centers around the world, HBM3 emphasized SK hynix’s desire to build on its core product that will meet ESG standards and boost corporate values.

In June, SK hynix participated in the HPE Discover 2022 conference with Solidigm. Showcasing its products under the themes “A New Standard Double Data Rate (DDR) for Green Future” and “Storage Technology Innovator for a Better World”, SK hynix underlined how it is building toward a future of innovative memory solution production.

SK hynix’s developments in the memory sector were further revealed at the annual Flash Memory Summit (FMS) in August, where SK hynix executives gave keynote addresses. They explained how NAND technology is addressing the need for “DataCosm,” the unique confluence of data, storage, and computing. The company also unveiled the world’s first 238-layer 512Gb TLC 4D NAND at the event.

In early October at the Semiconductor Exhibition (SEDEX) in Seoul, SK hynix emphasized its message of a Memory Centric Universe that places semiconductor memory at the center of the company’s world. Audiences from the company’s home country were reminded of the foundational role that memory semiconductors play in familiar, advanced technologies including AI, the Metaverse, big data, and next-generation communication networks (6G).

Lastly, the OCP Global Summit later in October provided the platform to display four SK hynix products, including an industry-first CXL computational memory solution. While proving SK hynix’s standing as a total solution provider, the development marked a meaningful partnership with SK Telecom—another ICT company of SK Group—for a breakthrough advancement.

Thinking Sustainability: SK hynix and Its Eco-friendly Achievements

Figure 3. SK hynix’s 2022 ESG Milestones

As climate change and its impact on the world’s ecosystem becomes increasingly problematic, SK hynix has taken it upon itself to join global efforts to protect the environment as part of its Double Bottom Line philosophy. This places equal importance on the economic and social value of business decisions and has helped to further develop the company’s initiatives on managing carbon emissions and waste management in 2022.

In June, SK hynix received the carbon footprint certification for its eSSD and cSSD products. Issued by the U.K. climate change organization Carbon Trust, the certification assesses the impact of carbon emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of a product. By receiving a globally recognized certificate, SK hynix is able to provide more reliable data on the environmental impact of its products.

In October, SK hynix became a part of the global semiconductor industry’s climate change response initiative when it joined the Semiconductor Climate Consortium (SCC) as a founding member. The SCC is the first global consultative body formed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the semiconductor value chain.

The company’s environmentally-friendly initiatives are not limited to combatting climate change. In November, the company became the first semiconductor company in Korea to receive the ‘IECQ QC 080000 Hazardous Substance Process Management (HSPM)’ certification. The certificate validates the company’s ability to manage hazardous substances throughout the entire process of supplying environmentally-friendly semiconductors.

In addition to protecting the environment, SK hynix made sure to strengthen its ESG management this year by developing its ESG strategy playbook and goals known as the PRISM framework. PRISM relays the message that SK hynix will transparently communicate with stakeholders while also reflecting its goal of spreading a positive influence around the world.

Although 2022 has proved to be a challenging and uncertain year for the semiconductor industry, SK hynix has been able to overcome these issues thanks to its ability to turn crises into opportunities. The company has made tremendous strides to solidify its status as a successful and environmentally conscious semiconductor company, pushing the boundaries of technological innovations and reaching milestones in business performances and environmental contributions. Looking toward the next 100 years, SK hynix will continue to stand as a leading solution provider that pushes the global ICT ecosystem forward.

The post A Year to Remember: SK hynix Moves Further Into the Global Spotlight first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.

Cutting-edge technologies that are leading Industry 4.0 are incrementally changing our lives on a daily basis, and at the center of this transition lies semiconductors, a product of SK hynix’s technological prowess. SK hynix opened an exhibition hall under the theme of We Do Technology_T.E.C.H at the Semiconductor Exhibition (SEDEX) 2022 to demonstrate a world that semiconductors will transform.

In addition to advanced technologies such as next-generation intelligent semiconductors, Metaverse experience booths related to semiconductor departments at Korea University, Hanyang University, and Sogang University, for talent promotion are also being operated. Furthermore, SK hynix’s ESG strategy framework, PRISM, which lays out practices for ESG-oriented management, has been added to the exhibition to showcase core values pursued by the company through various concepts.

At the exhibition, SK hynix’s Newsroom team is able to encounter the vision of SK hynix, which pursues the sustainable growth of humankind, ranging from technological capabilities to greater social value creation.

SK hynix’s Memory Centric Universe continues to progress

On October 5th, SEDEX 2022, the largest semiconductor exhibition in Korea, opened at COEX in Seoul. SEDEX 2022 marked its 24th anniversary this year and is an exhibition where people can become more acquainted with the most recent semiconductor technology trends. SK hynix also opened an exhibition booth to introduce its wide array of technological achievements and future vision.

At this year’s exhibition, SK hynix is emphasizing the message of a Memory Centric Universe, where semiconductor memory serves as the center of our world. When one steps into the center of the exhibition hall, sculptures and kiosks stand to inform guests that memory semiconductors are the bedrock of familiar advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the virtual world (Metaverse), big data, and next-generation communication networks (6G). Semiconductor memory is already deeply enmeshed in everything that makes our lives convenient, and it is safe to expect that their importance will grow even greater in the future.

SK hynix’s President and co-CEO Kwak Noh-Jung, who attended the event as the president of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA), emphasized the role and importance of future memory semiconductors with a keynote speech entitled, “Beyond the Limits of Memory Technology,” and he also visited multiple sites in the exhibition hall, including SK hynix’s Memory Centric Universe Zone.

Kwak Noh-Jung, President and co-CEO at SK hynix, is seen during a visit to the memory centric universe zone

We Do T.E.C.H.nology: state-of-the-art Technology, ESG, Communication, and Human Resources

SK hynix’s brand slogan and theme of the exhibition, We Do Technology, included the acronym TECH: T for Technology, E for ESG, C for Communication, and H for Human Resources, and embodied the four themes in the four major exhibition areas.

Sculptures showcase the evolution of DRAM and NAND Flash

At the center of the exhibition hall stands the exhibition booth, which received the most attention. The exhibition booth was designed to introduce SK hynix’s technological prowess and is a space that is drawing the interest of many visitors by simply telling stories about semiconductor products and technologies, the core competitiveness of SK hynix, in an experiential way. In particular, there are sculptures situated on opposite ends of the venue that showcase the evolution of SK hynix’s flagship products, DRAM and NAND, and it is interesting to see the current versus past storage capacities of DRAM and NAND being likened to the storage capacity of rice and the printing press.

View of SK hynix’s Platinum P41 SSD booth

In addition, NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSDs with PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) 4th generation interfaces, which boast the highest specifications among SSDs (Solid State Drives) for general consumers, is another eye-catching exhibit. Here, visitors can enjoy arcade games linked to shooting and product events.

Crowd visiting Technology zone to experience various exhibits

In addition to next-generation memory technologies such as HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), PIM (Processing-In-Memory), CXL (Compute Express Link), and UFS (Universal Flash Storage), SK hynix’s CIS (CMOS Image Sensor) technology, which is almost 100 million pixels, or ultra-high pixel, can also be seen. The AI ​​semiconductor SAPEON, which SK hynix introduced in collaboration with SK Telecom, has also attracted a great deal of intrigue.

ESG zone introducing SK hynix’s various sustainability management activities

At the exhibition, visitors are also introduced to PRISM, the ESG strategy framework developed by SK hynix. PRISM is a systematization of the direction and detailed goals of various socially responsible, ESG-related activities that are promoted by the company and contains the promise to radiate a positive influence in the environment, society, and governance to the world like a prism. In order to better inform external parties of the company’s efforts and authenticity towards ESG, the meaning and detailed goals of the five messages that PRISM is comprised of take up a large portion of the exhibition wall. Furthermore, visitors can witness various environmental management activities promoted by SK hynix, including RE100 (Renewable Energy 100, 100% renewable energy procurement), Net Zero (zero carbon emissions), biodiversity conservation, and water resource management.

Communication zone showcasing SK hynix’s visual media and goods

Another main attraction of the exhibition is the variety of visual media that has been produced by SK hynix to communicate with the outside world. SK hynix created a corporate brand video which depicts a semiconductor as the main character and web drama series to highlight “Tenacity” which is a core value of SK hynix employees, in an entertaining way. The company also developed a short-form ESG video that is popular among young people, adding diversity and trendiness. In addition to these video contents, various goods are being exhibited, including an Oxford block of the FAB (Fabrication Facility) model, a semiconductor production facility, which is given as a prize for a semiconductor scholarship contest. This exhibition is a space where visitors can get a glimpse of SK hynix’s efforts to better communicate to those who have difficulties in fully understanding semiconductors.

Human Resource zone showcasing the semiconductor department admission briefing via metaverse platform

The importance of nurturing future talents who will lead continuous technological development in the semiconductor industry, one of Korea’s key industries, cannot be overemphasized. To ensure early recruiting development, SK hynix is ​​operating an employment-guaranteed contract with the semiconductor departments of Korea University, Sogang University, and Hanyang University to secure and nurture talent who will be responsible for the future of the company. In order to showcase these activities in a different way, SK hynix prepared a separate metaverse space, the Semiconductor Department Admission Briefing, using SK Telecom’s metaverse platform ifland that appeals to the IT sensibility of teenage visitors. This is attracting a number of visitors by introducing the admission guidelines, talents, and curriculum of each department.

Moreover, SK hynix has designed the exhibition as a space for visitors to more actively interact by installing an arcade game zone linked to various events and a quiz machine that pays out prizes when visitors answer a quiz related to semiconductors.

Visitors enjoying various quiz events and games at the SK hynix booth

The Memory Centric Universe, which suggests that memory semiconductors are currently at the center of the world and will maintain that position in the future, is more than just a prophecy. In fact, it is becoming a reality before our eyes. Under the We Do Technology slogan, SK hynix will continuously introduce semiconductor technologies that can inspire opportunities and inspiration in the future ICT industry “at the center of advanced technology” and the company is also unveiling its plan to create a better world based on such efforts, continuously creating social values. This year’s SEDEX 2022 is an important opportunity to predict the future that SK hynix is picturing via a wide range of technological achievements and a vision for sustainable growth.

The post [SEDEX 2022] We Do Technology, an SK hynix story designed to create a better world first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.