Researchers develop software for in-memory computing breakthrough – CGTN
BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) — Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed software that makes it possible to perform calculations directly in memory, paving the way for in-memory computing, according to a recent report from the CAS Institute of Computing Technology.
In-memory computing is a novel computing paradigm that executes programs and processes data directly within the computer’s main memory. It holds the potential to revolutionize computing by overcoming the limitations of traditional computing systems. Compared to traditional data processing methods, where data is moved back and forth between the CPU and memory, in-memory computing directly operates on data stored in the main memory, enabling faster and more efficient computation.
According to CAS researchers, the newly developed software utilizes a memory-centric design principle, which means data and computation are processed together in memory without being moved to other areas, significantly enhancing data processing speed and efficiency. This approach significantly enhances the processing speed and efficiency compared to traditional data processing methods where data is constantly transferred between the CPU and memory.
Furthermore, the software also features dataflow programming, a method of programming where the data flow between various operations determines the program’s structure, facilitating flexible and efficient data management in complex tasks. With the advancement of the hardware architecture, it can be implemented in specific hardware devices like the Processing-in-Memory (PIM) chip for faster computation and low energy consumption.
“This is a breakthrough in the field of in-memory computing. It allows us to utilize memory for both data storage and computation, which dramatically enhances computing efficiency and energy efficiency,” said a researcher at the CAS Institute of Computing Technology, highlighting the significance of this software development.
The researchers have conducted comprehensive tests of the software, and results indicate it achieves significant performance gains over traditional approaches. They have published their findings in a renowned international academic journal.
With this breakthrough, China has taken a significant step towards the future of computing. In-memory computing holds enormous potential in various applications, including big data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing, ushering in a new era of computing efficiency and power.
