Systems and methods for reducing memory power consumption via device-specific customization of DDR interface parameters

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing double data rate (DDR) memory power consumption via device-specific customization of DDR interface parameters. One embodiment comprises a method for minimizing double data rate (DDR) power consumption. The method selects one of a plurality of operating points for a DDR interface electrically coupling a DDR memory to a memory controller residing on a system on chip (SoC). The memory controller executes a memory test via the DDR interface at the selected operating point. During the execution of the memory test at the selected operating point, the method determines an optimal value of a setting for one or more DDR interface parameters associated with the DDR interface that minimizes memory power consumption and maintains a predetermined DDR eye margin.

Description

Background technique [0001] Portable computing devices (such as cellular phones, smart phones, tablet computers, portable digital assistants (PDAs), portable game consoles, wearable devices, and other battery-operated devices) and other computing devices continue to provide an ever-expanding array of functions and services , and providing users with an unprecedented level of access to information, resources, and communications. To keep pace with these service enhancements, such devices have become increasingly powerful and complex. Portable computing devices now typically include a system-on-chip (SoC) that includes multiple memory clients (e.g., one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), digital signal processor (DSP), etc.). A memory client can read data from and store data in external dynamic random access memory (DRAM) electrically coupled to the SoC via a high-speed bus such as a double data rate (DDR) bus. [0002] While various mem...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Such a "one size fits all" parameter setting can be wasteful of energy as there may be a sample of devices that are out of the baseline and could benefit from an optimized setting

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