Apple Vision Pro to Feature Custom-Designed Low Latency DRAM Chip Supplied by SK Hynix

[MacRumors]

Apple's Vision Pro headset will use a new type of dynamic random access memory, or DRAM, that has been custom designed to support Apple's R1 input processing chip, reports The Korea Herald.

Apple Vision Pro is powered by a pair of chips. The main processor is the M2, which is responsible for processing content, running the visionOS operating system, executing computer vision algorithms, and providing graphical content.

The R1 chip meanwhile processes all of the information coming from the 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones in the headset, and streams images to the displays within 12 milliseconds – eight times faster than the blink of an eye – providing the wearer with a virtually lag-free view of the world.

To support the R1's high-speed requirements, the headset will reportedly use a 1-gigabit low latency DRAM chip supplied by SK hynix that features an increased number of input and output pins to minimize delays.

The DRAM chip is also said to utilize a unique packaging method called Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging, which enables it to be attached to the R1 chipset as a single integrated unit, allowing for a doubling in processing speed.

Apple's $3,500 headset is set to go on sale early next year. Chinese contract manufacturer Luxshare will initially assemble the device. However, according to one report, Apple may limit production to fewer than 400,000 units in 2024, due to issues related to the supply of the two micro-OLED displays for the wearer's eyes and the outward-facing curved lenticular lens.

Article Link: Apple Vision Pro to Feature Custom-Designed Low Latency DRAM Chip Supplied by SK Hynix

 

[Will Co]

Extreme price. Extreme tech. Very impressive.

 

[hoorayforhollywood]

Whatever we think about the Vision Pro's potential or even usefulness, we have to concede that Apple have gone all out here. It seems they're pushing the envelope of what is technologically possible and having to create solutions - which is exactly what I like to see. Because in the end we'll all benefit from this in one form or other.

 

[Philfreeze]

More input/output pins sounds like it is just a wider data bus, which increases throughput but does not reduce latency. Reducing latency would require them to reduce the path delay (think stacked die or a silicon interposer) or they would have to improve each DRAM cell to make read/writes faster. What is more likely is that they are just binned to habe very low latencies (ie good cells).

The second part about the unique packaging making it possible to attach it as a ‚single integrated unit‘ is also kinda confusing. FO WLP is mainly extremely small without the thermal and pin-number restrictions WLP has. This would make sense with regard to it possibly having a wider bus. However, the ‚single integrated unit‘ part is just gibberish to me. Normal DRAM dies are also attached to processors as one single unit and they are obviously integrated because its an integrated circuit. I don‘t get what that is supposed to mean.

 

[d5aqoëp]

The more I read about this, the more I get a gut feeling that it might just be kinda vaporware only star YouTubers shillers will use initially for few days and forget that this product ever existed. I literally get headaches after wearing quest or any of these devices. So using it is out of question let alone the prohibitory entry price.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

All those cameras will be a major issue if you wear that in public. Other people will never know if you are recording them. Google Glass had the same problem.

 

[bLackjackj]

However, according to one report, Apple may limit production to fewer than 400,000 units in 2024,

Of course they will,..then they can claim it was a sellout! All of these slight of hand practices, including throwing this in to same basket as wearables, minimizing stock,..etc typical Apple Marketing practices that make teflon Cook look like a million bucks and shareholders gleem with joy.

 

[Solomani]

Extreme price. Extreme tech. Very impressive.

And in 2032, it might be one of the Olympics Extreme Sports?

 

[Spidder]

Now we know where all those top engineers were during the last couple of underwhelming iPhones. I would hate to live in a world where people live in VR, but I also have to admit… Vision Pro is impressive tech.

 

[fullauto]

All those cameras will be a major issue if you wear that in public. Other people will never know if you are recording them. Google Glass had the same problem.

During they keynote they showed the headset displaying a white light when recording

 

[Harvey Zoltan]

I don't understand why so many commentators on this site seem to be so desperate for this piece of tech from Apple to fail. If it's not for you there is no obligation for you to buy it, think about it, or read articles about it.

 

[Le0M]

All those cameras will be a major issue if you wear that in public. Other people will never know if you are recording them. Google Glass had the same problem.

Luckily, this device was designed for indoor - mostly work and home - usage. So no real issue here on that front.
Also, Apple Vision's outer display shows a specific image when recording, so that the others from the outside will know they are being recorded.

 

[neuropsychguy]

I literally get headaches after wearing quest or any of these devices.

I have a Quest 2 and end up with headaches as well, although much of it is due to the weight and poor balance of the device. You haven't tried this one yet. Apple knows about the side effects, which is why its engineers have gone through great lengths to reduce lag, motion sickness, and more.

 

[chrmjenkins]

More input/output pins sounds like it is just a wider data bus, which increases throughput but does not reduce latency. Reducing latency would require them to reduce the path delay (think stacked die or a silicon interposer) or they would have to improve each DRAM cell to make read/writes faster. What is more likely is that they are just binned to habe very low latencies (ie good cells).

The second part about the unique packaging making it possible to attach it as a ‚single integrated unit‘ is also kinda confusing. FO WLP is mainly extremely small without the thermal and pin-number restrictions WLP has. This would make sense with regard to it possibly having a wider bus. However, the ‚single integrated unit‘ part is just gibberish to me. Normal DRAM dies are also attached to processors as one single unit and they are obviously integrated because its an integrated circuit. I don‘t get what that is supposed to mean.

Exactly. There’s a latency overhead inherent in all DRAM protocols. It’s likely they wanted this to be cache but it was impractical due to chip size, power and heat. This is a 2.5D technology and not some standard DRAM interface. I’m sure it features a custom RAM controller on the chip side.

 

[bbplayer5]

The only thing shocking about this product will be if it actually succeeds.

 

[fithian]

The more that I read about this, the more that I have come to the realization that this device is a bargain at $3,500.

 

[coolbreeze2]

I am totally filled with excitement. I'm like a kid waiting on Santa.

 

[darngooddesign]

Of course they will,..then they can claim it was a sellout! All of these slight of hand practices, including throwing this in to same basket as wearables, minimizing stock,..etc typical Apple Marketing practices that make teflon Cook look like a million bucks and shareholders gleem with joy.

TC is smart to limit production until they know how well VP will sell. Avoiding excess unsold inventory is Business 101.

But complaining about this means you think that that VP will be successful enough to sell more than 400k units in the US during first year. Glad to see that you are so optimistic for its future.

 

[jonnysods]

The device is pretty amazing I have to admit. I figured that if Apple wanted to enter into this space they would figure out a way to go the extra mile. The technology is very impressive, even though I have no desire to own one (but would love to try it)

 

[JosephAW]

Apple needs to modify the iPhone 16 designed and move one camera to the bottom so we can start recording stereo videos for our VP.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

All those cameras will be a major issue if you wear that in public. Other people will never know if you are recording them. Google Glass had the same problem.

As opposed to every smart phone & tablet having at least 2 camera lenses (one on back and a selfie) and some having 3 or 4 lenses? And some getting ever-better at capturing seemingly invisible activities with ever-improving night vision? And someone at seemingly any point in time is taking a picture of something pretty much everywhere?

Or as opposed to the traffic cameras that seem to be increasingly popping up on every wire and/or every pole? Doesn't it seem unusual these days that some criminal activity is NOT caught on some camera in the area? Won't those cameras be capturing non-criminal activity too? Yes, the non-criminal video won't make the news but cameras have to be recording the NON to have a chance to catch the actual crimes.

Maybe this is a volume of cameras issue? With 12 on this one, that's just far too many vs. the 2-4 on everyone's phone always with them, already dispersed far & wide in public, and possibly recording?

I get that we feel some compulsions to shoot down this brand new offering for whatever reason, but if we're worried about being visually recorded, we need to reel in the world's smart phones because that is far more cameras "watching" than this may ever get out there in public. Of course, few make arguments for getting rid of smart phones (and tablets) due to this same concern. Instead, all such worry seems directed at this ONE product.

 

[MuppetGate]

All those cameras will be a major issue if you wear that in public. Other people will never know if you are recording them. Google Glass had the same problem.

Not sure where you got the idea that Apple meant for this to be worn outside.

 

[Zest28]

Should be great for this.

 

[UltimaKilo]

The device is pretty amazing I have to admit. I figured that if Apple wanted to enter into this space they would figure out a way to go the extra mile. The technology is very impressive, even though I have no desire to own one (but would love to try it)

I agree, but it just seems so incredibly early. It appears the weight is still too heavy given the hands-on impressions and I'm not sure how future-proof an M2 will be given that this will release sometime in Q1 2024 and apps will be incredibly demanding very soon.

Like all of Apple's 1st (and sometimes 2nd and 3rd) gen products (iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV), it's better to let it get to market for a couple of gen so users and developers are able to provide feedback, before jumping in.

Still, this is definitely the future of computing, just perhaps not in the next 2-3 years.

 

[tipoo]

Interesting. Most standalone headsets are using pretty off the shelf parts and Android as a core OS, Apple might be the most serious about the latency angle with the real time OS (Or parts of the runtime at least) and going with custom DRAM for even lower latency