MTS · HBM Architecture · Micron Technology · Richardson, TX 마이크론 · HBM 아키텍처 · 텍사스 리처드슨
Kyounghan KWON

HBM Architecture  ·  Analog / Mixed-Signal  ·  High-Speed TxRx

HBM 아키텍처  ·  Analog/Mixed-Signal  ·  고속 인터페이스

권경환  /  權敬桓

I design memory architectures where power, bandwidth, timing, and manufacturability must close together — working at the boundary of HBM architecture, analog/mixed-signal design, and system-level memory path-finding.

전력·대역폭·타이밍·제조성이 동시에 수렴해야 하는 메모리 아키텍처를 설계합니다 — HBM 아키텍처, Analog/Mixed-Signal, 시스템 레벨 메모리 Path-finding의 경계에서.

HBM4 / HBM5 JEDEC Standards Row Hammer DLUT SerDes / CTLE / FFE AI Memory 3D-NAND
0 Yrs Exp 년 경력
0 US Patents
+3 Filed
미국 특허
+3 출원
0 Companies 근무 회사
0 Countries 근무 국가

// HBM Cube Architecture — Conceptual

HBM memory stack architecture visual with stacked dies, TSV pillars, and base logic die.

System Profile

엔지니어 프로파일

Engineer. Architect.
Innovator.

엔지니어. 아키텍트.
혁신가.

System profile infographic showing Kelvin’s expertise across HBM architecture, analog mixed-signal, high-speed I/O, Row Hammer, JEDEC, patents, and AI-era memory.

I'm Kyounghan (Kelvin) Kwon — a semiconductor memory engineer with 27+ years designing the circuits that power the world's most demanding AI and mobile computing systems.

My career spans Samsung → SK Hynix → LG Electronics → CXMT → JSC → Huawei HKRC → Micron Technology, crossing Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Texas. Each chapter opened a new technical frontier — from LPDDR to 3D-NAND to HBM path-finding for the AI era.

27년 이상 AI·모바일 컴퓨팅 시스템을 구동하는 회로를 설계해온 메모리 반도체 엔지니어 권경환(Kelvin)입니다.

삼성전자 → SK하이닉스 → LG전자 → CXMT → JSC → 화웨이 HKRC → Micron Technology로 이어지는 커리어에서, 한국·중국·홍콩·텍사스를 횡단하며 LPDDR부터 3D-NAND, HBM까지 각 기술 프런티어를 개척했습니다.

"At Full Blast, you're giving it your all."

Education

Korea University

고려대학교

M.S. Electrical Engineering · 1998 · GPA 4.1/4.5 · Samsung Scholarship

전기공학 석사 · 1998 · GPA 4.1/4.5 · 삼성장학금

// Technical Proficiency

Analog / Mixed-Signal
27yr
DRAM Tx/Rx Interface
20yr
HBM Architecture
2yr+
JEDEC Standards
10yr
3D-NAND Design
6yr
SerDes / CTLE / FFE
15yr
CEO Best Engineer · Samsung 2004 삼성 CEO 최우수 엔지니어 2004 Key Expert · Huawei 2024 Key Expert · 화웨이 2024 PRD Excellent TFT · CXMT 2023 PRD 우수 TFT · CXMT 2023 Talented Leader Pool · LG 2013/14 Talented Leader Pool · LG 2013/14

Career Log

경력 로그

28 Yrs · 7 Companies · 4 Geographies

28년 · 7개 회사 · 4개 지역

From transistor-level process integration and the world's first LPDDR1 to next-generation HBM Cube architecture — each chapter widened the bridge between device physics, circuit design, and system architecture.

트랜지스터 레벨 공정 통합과 세계 최초 LPDDR1부터 차세대 HBM Cube 아키텍처까지 — 각 경력은 소자 물리, 회로 설계, 시스템 아키텍처를 잇는 폭을 넓혀왔습니다.

Micron Technology Current Jan 2025–Present · Richardson, Texas

MTS (Member of Technical Staff) of HBM Architecture

  • Defined next-generation HBM core-die architecture (Cell/Datapath) and floorplan strategies for PPA.
  • Architected core-die structure and chip-size optimization for high-speed HBM operation.
  • Analyzed DRAM core behavior and optimized AC/DC parameters aligned with JEDEC specifications.
  • Integrated device–process–packaging–system viewpoints for advanced HBM stack design.
  • 차세대 HBM 코어다이 아키텍처(Cell/Datapath)와 PPA 중심 플로어플랜 전략을 정의했습니다.
  • 고속 HBM 동작을 위한 코어다이 구조와 칩 크기 최적화를 주도했습니다.
Huawei Hong Kong Research Center (HKRC) Jan 2024–Nov 2024 · Hong Kong SAR

Expert of Memory Solution Team (New Architecture, High-speed interface)

  • Architected DDR/LPDDR/stacked-memory systems for AI-oriented like-stacked architectures.
  • Led path-finding for like-stacked memory solutions targeting future AI accelerators.
  • Guided analog design for Like-LPDDR5 PHY and protocol-level implementation.
  • Designed Tx/Rx, EQ, ZQ-Cal, DCC/DCM, LBT, and LDO high-speed IP blocks.
  • Recognized as a core contributor and key expert in Memory Architecture (2024.06.22).
  • AI 지향 적층형 메모리를 위한 DDR/LPDDR/Stacked-Memory 아키텍처를 설계했습니다.
  • Like-LPDDR5 PHY, Tx/Rx, EQ, ZQ-Cal, DCC/DCM, LDO 등의 고속 IP를 지도·설계했습니다.
Jeju Semiconductor Corp. Sep 2023–Jan 2024 · Seoul, South Korea

Director of Design Group (High-Speed IO and Datapath Department)

  • Directed IO/Datapath teams for LPDDR4x/DDR4 PHY and architecture development.
  • Designed Tx/Rx, EQ, LDO, Op-Amp, and SerDes (S2P/P2S) for LPDDR4x interfaces.
  • Guided DLUT-based row-hammer mitigation and BL Sense-Amp offset-cancellation schemes.
  • LPDDR4x/DDR4 PHY와 아키텍처 개발을 위한 IO/Datapath 조직을 이끌었습니다.
CXMT Mar 2018–Mar 2023 · Hefei, China

Senior Manager → Senior Principal Circuit Engineer & PM

  • Achieved China’s first 1x-node DDR4 working die for the 8Gb Test Vehicle and led DDR4/DDR5 architecture evolution through 2023.
  • Led 16Gb DDR4 (1b) Process Vehicle and 16Gb DDR5 (1c+) Test Vehicle development with tape-out, working-die, timing/power closure, and cross-functional execution.
  • Developed DLUT row-hammer mitigation, wREF, data-alignment, anti-fuse, SerDes, DFT logic, IO circuits, and BL Sense-Amp offset-cancellation.
  • Defined cell-core architecture, datapath/IO guidelines, and layout strategy across multiple DRAM technology nodes.
  • 2018년부터 2023년까지 CXMT에서 중국 최초 1x DDR4 Working Die, 16Gb DDR4 PV, 16Gb DDR5 TV를 포함한 DRAM 아키텍처와 회로 개발을 통합적으로 이끌었습니다.
SK hynix Sep 2015–Feb 2018 · Icheon, South Korea

Principal Circuit Design Engineer

  • Designed high-speed BIST logic, double-LFSR data-recovery schemes, and core 3D-NAND datapath architecture.
  • Built interface-chip architecture reducing capacitive loading with TDC re-timing and SerDes.
  • Implemented low-swing data-line, high-speed datapath, and double-SerDes schemes for 3D-NAND.
  • Received multiple Core U.S. Patent Awards for BIST, interface-chip, low-swing signaling, and IO sense amplifier innovations.
  • 3D-NAND 고속 BIST, 인터페이스 칩, 저전압 스윙, Double-SerDes를 설계했습니다.
LG Electronics Jan 2011–Jan 2015 · Seoul, South Korea

Principal Engineer of Memory System-level Verification and Quality

  • Led semiconductor memory SCM strategy, technical negotiation, and technology-roadmap alignment.
  • Served as LG’s JEDEC representative for LPDDR4, WIO2, eMMC5.x, and UFS-related platform discussions.
  • Directed TFT initiatives for smartphone memory competitiveness and semiconductor cost reduction.
  • Selected for LG Next Leader / Talented Leader Pool (2013, 2014).
  • LG의 JEDEC 대표로 활동하며 LPDDR4, WIO2, eMMC5.x 관련 플랫폼 논의에 참여했습니다.
SK hynix Sep 2008–Jan 2011 · Icheon, South Korea

Senior Circuit Design Engineer

  • Designed digital/analog/mixed-signal circuits for LPDDR2/LPDDR3 products.
  • Developed LPDDR2/LPDDR3 datapath architecture, test-mode circuits, and low-power full-chip schemes.
  • Invented write-alignment architecture for ring-back failure and led on-chip monitoring tool development.
  • LPDDR2/3 Datapath, 테스트 모드, 저전력 전체 칩 구조와 Write-Alignment 구조를 개발했습니다.
Samsung Electronics Feb 1998–Aug 2008 · Hwaseong, South Korea

Staff Process Architecture & Integration Engineer → Senior Circuit Design Engineer

  • Developed DRAM cell/capacitor front-end process sequence and device windows for 256M DRAM.
  • Led circuit and full-chip development across LPDDR1, DDR1, Rambus DRAM, and One-DRAM products.
  • Pioneered the world’s first LPDDR1 and built One-DRAM IP / patent portfolio.
  • Received Samsung CEO Best Circuit Design Engineer Award (2004).
  • 256M DRAM 공정 통합에서 출발해 LPDDR1, DDR1, Rambus DRAM, One-DRAM 전체 칩 개발을 이끌었습니다.
  • 세계 최초 LPDDR1 개발과 One-DRAM 특허 포트폴리오를 구축했습니다.

// Career Geography

Career journey map across Korea, China, Hong Kong, and the United States, connecting Samsung, LG Electronics, SK hynix, CXMT, Huawei HKRC, and Micron.

High-Impact Innovations

핵심 업적과 수상

10 Defining Breakthroughs & Recognitions

10개의 대표 업적과 수상

01
— 2025 · Row-Hammer Defense
DLUT Architecture
+95%
Dynamic Look-Up Table. Defense rate vs. prior art. US12374378B2.
02
— 2024 · Huawei Recognition
Huawei Key Expert Recognition
2024
Recognized as Core Contributor and Key Expert of Memory Design Architecture at Huawei HKRC.
03
— 2023 · CXMT Award
CXMT Excellence Award
2023
PRD Group Excellent Engineer for DLUT.
04
— 2020 · China First
1x DDR4 Working Die
#1
China’s first 1x DDR4 working die. CXMT, 2020.
05
— 2017 · SK hynix Awards
SK hynix Award Recognition
×6
Six recognitions spanning 2011–2017, including Best Working Group Leader, four Core U.S. Patent Awards, and Semiconductor Academic Conference Award.
06
— 2016 · Cost Reduction
3D-NAND On-Die BIST
−60%
512Gb BIST eliminated external tester burden and reduced tester and packaging cost.
07
— 2015 · Power Reduction
Low-Swing Bus
−40%
Sub-1.0V Tx/Rx/Repeater system. IDD4R/W power reduction. US9621165B2.
08
— 2014 · LG Electronics Awards
LG Electronics Recognition
×2
Semiconductor Memory Quality Engineering Grand Prize (2014.06) and Key Talent Engineer Pool / Next Leader Program.
09
— 2004 · Samsung CEO Award
Samsung CEO Best Engineer
2004
CEO Award for Best Engineer of the Year, recognizing leadership in world’s first LPDDR1.
10
— 2002 · World First
LPDDR1 — World’s First
#1
1Gb · 80nm · 6F2 full-chip architecture. Samsung, 2002.

Intellectual Property

지식재산권

12 Granted US Patents

등록 12건 미국 특허

// Patent Topology

Innovation portfolio infographic centered on 12 US patents and 3 filed innovations across DRAM, sensing, Row Hammer, 3D-NAND, and high-speed I/O.
Patent No.특허 번호 Domain기술 Date등록
US12374378B2Row Hammer DLUT2025-07-29CXMT
US10504606B2BIST / DRAM Test2019-12-10SKH
US10068624B2Interface Chip2018-09-04SKH
US9543904B1Diff Amp Sensing2017-01-10SKH
US9621165B2Low-Swing Tx/Rx2017-04-11SKH
US9070429B2Write Alignment2015-06-30SKH
US8477543B2Data Input Strobe2013-07-02SKH
US8120986B2Multi-port Memory2012-02-21SAM
US6980036B2Freq Multiplier2005-12-27SAM
US20160373066A1Diff Amp CircuitFiled 2015SAM
US20130127498A1Power-up SignalFiled 2013SAM
US20040093478A1IC Signal One PinFiled 2003SAM

Thought Leadership

기술 인사이트

Insights on Memory & AI

메모리 & AI 기술 인사이트

Tech Insight  ·  Memory Architecture

The Memory Shortage Is Not About Memory

메모리 부족은 메모리 문제가 아니다

AI did not just need more memory. It exposed that only a very specific kind of memory now matters — bandwidth-delivered, thermally survivable, and package-integrated. A practitioner's analysis of the engineering reality behind the global memory shortage.

AI는 단순히 더 많은 메모리를 필요로 한 것이 아니었습니다. AI가 드러낸 것은, 지금 중요한 메모리는 오직 한 가지 종류 — 대역폭으로 전달되고, 열적으로 생존 가능하며, 패키지 통합된 메모리 — 라는 사실입니다. 글로벌 메모리 부족의 공학적 현실에 대한 실무자적 분석입니다.

Optical Interconnect Packaging

The Bottleneck Has Moved

마이크로 LED 광인터커넥트의 진짜 병목

A structured insight on why micro LED optical interconnects are no longer mainly a device story — and why alignment, cooling, coupling, and manufacturability now define the path forward.

마이크로 LED 광인터커넥트가 더 이상 소자 성능만의 문제가 아니며, 정렬·냉각·결합·제조성이 앞으로의 핵심 제약이 되는 이유를 정리한 분석입니다.

HBM Thermal Architecture

HBM Thermal Bottlenecks and the Next Structural Transition

HBM 열 병목과 다음 구조적 전환

A readable, engineering-grounded insight on why HBM thermal scaling is no longer just a materials problem — and why the next generation needs two structural transitions at the same time.

HBM의 열 문제가 더 이상 단순 소재 개선만으로 해결되지 않는 이유와, 다음 세대가 왜 두 가지 구조적 전환을 동시에 요구하는지를 설명한 분석입니다.

AI Memory Systems

TurboQuant and the HBM Industry

TurboQuant와 HBM 산업

A readable, evidence-based explanation of why Google’s new compression method matters — and why it does not mean the end of HBM.

구글의 새로운 압축 기술이 왜 중요한지, 그리고 왜 그것이 HBM의 종말을 의미하지 않는지를 쉽게 풀어낸 분석입니다.

AI Memory Systems

HBM Isn’t the Story. The Real Story Is Whether AI Can Move Beyond It.

HBM의 미래보다 더 중요한 질문

A readable, evidence-based essay on why HBM looks inevitable today — and why the deeper question is whether AI will keep computing in a way that still needs HBM at the center.

지금 HBM이 왜 필연처럼 보이는지, 그리고 더 중요한 질문이 “AI는 앞으로도 계속 HBM을 필요로 할 것인가”라는 점을 풀어낸 분석입니다.

Thought Leadership 생각의 기록

Insights on Life

삶에 대한 인사이트

A second stream of writing on meaning, work, time, aging, and the human questions that remain in the age of AI.

AI 시대에도 여전히 남는 인간의 질문들 — 일, 시간, 나이 듦, 의미, 그리고 살아간다는 것에 대한 기록입니다.

Life Insight  ·  Semiconductor Architecture
Life Insight  ·  반도체 아키텍처

What AI Cannot Ask

AI가 물을 수 없는 것

AI now closes timing, optimizes floorplans, and writes RTL — correctly, and fast. But there is something it does not do: ask whether the problem was defined correctly in the first place. A semiconductor architect's reflection on the judgment that remains irreducibly human.

AI는 이제 타이밍을 맞추고, 플로어플랜을 최적화하고, RTL을 작성한다 — 정확하게, 빠르게. 그러나 한 가지를 하지 않는다: 문제가 처음부터 올바르게 정의되었는지 묻는 것. 여전히 인간의 판단으로 남아 있는 것에 대한 반도체 아키텍트의 성찰.

Establish Connection

연결 시작

Let's talk
memory.

메모리에 대해
이야기합시다.

HBM architecture, Analog/Mixed-Signal consultation, technical speaking, or mentoring the next generation of memory engineers — open to all meaningful conversations.

HBM 아키텍처, Analog/Mixed-Signal 컨설팅, 기술 강연, 후배 엔지니어 멘토링 — 모든 의미 있는 대화를 환영합니다.

Open For

협업 가능 분야

  • 🔬 Architecture Review — HBM / DRAM System Design
  • 🎤 Technical Speaking — HBM, AI Memory, Analog IC
  • 📐 Analog / Mixed-Signal Circuit Consultation
  • 📋 JEDEC Standards Advisory
  • 🧭 Next-Gen Memory Path-finding
  • 🎓 Mentoring — Jr. Memory Engineers
  • 🔬 아키텍처 리뷰 — HBM / DRAM 시스템 설계
  • 🎤 기술 강연 — HBM, AI 메모리, Analog IC
  • 📐 Analog / Mixed-Signal 회로 컨설팅
  • 📋 JEDEC 표준 자문
  • 🧭 차세대 메모리 Path-finding
  • 🎓 후배 메모리 엔지니어 멘토링