Controller, memory device, and control method

Abstract

A controller is provided in a memory device. The controller includes a feedback regulation circuit. The feedback regulation circuit is configured to generate a feedback voltage to a power supply circuit in accordance with a power consumption of the controller, such that the power supply circuit adjusts an input voltage supplied to the memory device in accordance with the feedback voltage. The feedback voltage is higher when the power consumption of the controller is lower, such that the input voltage is lower, and the feedback voltage is lower when the power consumption of the controller is higher, such that the input voltage is higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments described in this invention relate to a controller, a memory device, and a control method, and particularly to a controller, a memory device, and a control method for a solid-state drive (SSD). Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, memory devices have become widely used. For example, among various memory devices, solid-state drives (SSDs) are often used as computer memory. However, memory devices consume a lot of power when operating. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a controller located in a memory device. The controller includes a feedback regulation circuit. The feedback regulation circuit generates a feedback voltage to a power supply circuit based on the power consumption of the controller, causing the power supply circuit to adjust the input voltage to the memory device according to the feedback voltage. When the power consumption of the controller is lower, the feedback voltage is higher, resulting in a lower input voltage; conversely, when the power consumption of the controller is higher, the feedback voltage is lower, resulting in a higher input voltage.

[0004] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a memory device, including a storage circuit, a controller, and a power supply circuit. The controller is coupled to the storage circuit for accessing data by the storage circuit. The power supply circuit is coupled to the controller. The controller is further configured to generate a feedback voltage to the power supply circuit based on the power consumption of the controller, so that the power supply circuit adjusts the input voltage to the memory device according to the feedback voltage. When the power consumption of the controller is lower, the feedback voltage is higher, resulting in a lower input voltage; conversely, when the power consumption of the controller is higher, the feedback voltage is lower, resulting in a higher input voltage.

[0005] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a control method applicable to a memory device. The control method includes the following steps: generating a feedback voltage to a power supply circuit based on the power consumption of a controller of the memory device, so that the power supply circuit adjusts the input voltage input to the controller based on the feedback voltage; increasing the feedback voltage to decrease the input voltage when the power consumption decreases, according to the controller; and decreasing the feedback voltage to increase the input voltage when the power consumption increases, according to the controller.

[0006] In summary, the controller, memory device, and control method of the present invention can self-regulate the power supply voltage of the memory device through voltage monitoring feedback inside the controller under different operating states of the memory device, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the memory device. Attached Figure Description

[0007] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the accompanying drawings are described below:

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a memory device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a control method according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a resistor circuit according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating an operation according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another operation according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0014] 100 - Memory device; 110 - Controller; 115 - Feedback regulation circuit

[0015] 116 - Logic control circuit; 118 - Resistor circuit; 150 - Storage circuit

[0016] 900-Power Supply Circuit VI-Input Voltage FB-Feedback Voltage

[0017] 200 - Control methods S210, S230, S250 - RU, RD - Variable resistor steps

[0018] U - Output terminals T1, T2, T3, T4 - Time FBS - Standard feedback voltage point

[0019] V1, V2 - Voltage; RRU, RRD - Resistance value; RS1, RS2 - Proportional value Detailed Implementation

[0020] The term "coupled" as used in this specification may also refer to "electrical coupling," and the term "connection" may also refer to "electrical connection." "Coupled" and "connection" may also refer to two or more components cooperating or interacting with each other.

[0021] refer to Figure 1 . Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a memory device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1For example, memory device 100 includes a controller 110, storage circuitry 150, and power supply circuitry 900. In terms of connectivity, controller 110 is coupled to storage circuitry 150. Controller 110 is also coupled to power supply circuitry 900. Power supply circuitry 900 provides power to controller 110.

[0022] In operation, in some embodiments, the storage circuit 150 is used to store data. The controller 110 is used to access the data by the storage circuit 150 and to receive the input voltage VI from the power supply circuit 900 and transmit the input voltage VI to the controller 110.

[0023] The configuration of the memory device 100 described above is merely an example, and all configurations of the memory device 100 are within the scope of this invention. Specific operating methods of the memory device 100 will be discussed below. Figure 2 This will be explained together.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The control method 200 can be applied to, for example... Figure 1 The memory device 100. Please refer to the following as well. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In some embodiments, the control method 200 is... Figure 1 The controller 110 in the middle executes.

[0025] In step S210, a feedback voltage is generated to the power supply circuit based on the power consumption of the controller, so that the power supply circuit adjusts the input voltage to the controller according to the feedback voltage.

[0026] In step S230, when the power consumption decreases, the feedback voltage is increased so that the input voltage from the power supply circuit to the controller decreases.

[0027] In step S250, when power consumption increases, the feedback voltage is reduced so that the input voltage from the power supply circuit to the controller increases.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 .like Figure 1 As shown, the controller 110 includes a feedback regulation circuit 115. In some embodiments, the control method 200 is performed by the feedback regulation circuit 115.

[0029] In some embodiments, the feedback adjustment circuit 115 includes a logic control circuit 116 and a resistor circuit 118.

[0030] The logic control circuit 116 is coupled to the resistor circuit 118. The logic control circuit 116 is used to adjust the resistance value of the resistor circuit 118 according to the power consumption of the controller 110, so as to adjust the feedback voltage FB input to the power supply circuit 900.

[0031] For example, in some embodiments, the power consumption of the controller 110 is divided into five power consumption levels. Each power consumption level corresponds to a different power state. In one embodiment, 100% power consumption corresponds to power consumption level 0 and power state 0, which is the highest power consumption case. Power consumption greater than 80% but less than 100% corresponds to power consumption level 1 and power state 1. Power consumption greater than 60% but less than 80% corresponds to power consumption level 2 and power state 2. Power consumption greater than 20% but less than 60% corresponds to power consumption level 3 and power state 3. Power consumption less than 20% corresponds to power consumption level 4 and power state 4. The power consumption levels and power states described above are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this invention is not limited to the above description.

[0032] In some embodiments, power consumption levels correspond to different input voltage levels. For example, power consumption level 0 corresponds to an input voltage level of 100% of the standard operating voltage. Power consumption level 1 corresponds to an input voltage level of 98% of the standard operating voltage. Power consumption level 2 corresponds to an input voltage level of 96% of the standard operating voltage. Power consumption level 3 corresponds to an input voltage level of 94% of the standard operating voltage. Power consumption level 4 corresponds to an input voltage level of 80% of the standard operating voltage. The input voltage levels described above are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this invention is not limited to the above description.

[0033] In some embodiments, when Figure 1 When the power consumption level of the controller 110 changes, the logic control circuit 116 adjusts the resistance value of the resistor circuit 118 according to the power consumption level of the controller 110. When the resistance value of the resistor circuit 118 changes, the feedback voltage FB changes accordingly. When the feedback voltage FB changes, the input voltage VI of the power supply circuit 900 also changes accordingly.

[0034] Please see Figure 3 . Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a resistor circuit 118 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, Figure 1 The resistor circuit 118 includes variable resistors RU and RD. One end of variable resistor RU receives the voltage supplied by power supply circuit 900. The other end of variable resistor RU is coupled to output terminal U. One end of variable resistor RD is coupled to output terminal U, and the other end of variable resistor RD is grounded. Output terminal U outputs feedback voltage FB.

[0035] In some embodiments, when Figure 1When the power consumption of the controller 110 decreases, for example, when changing from power consumption level 0 to power consumption level 1, the logic control circuit 116 determines that the input voltage level needs to decrease from 100% of the standard operating voltage to 98% of the standard operating voltage. The logic control circuit 116 adjusts... Figure 1 The resistance value of resistor circuit 118 in the circuit is adjusted to change the feedback voltage FB.

[0036] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation according to some embodiments of the present invention. When the ratio of the resistance value of the variable resistor RU to the resistance value of the variable resistor RD decreases, the feedback voltage FB will rise to above the standard feedback voltage within a short period of time, even without a change in the input voltage VI. When the power supply circuit 900 determines that the feedback voltage FB has risen above the standard feedback voltage, the power supply circuit 900 adjusts the input voltage VI according to the increased feedback voltage FB to reduce the input voltage VI. When the input voltage VI decreases, the feedback voltage FB decreases further without any further change in the resistance value of the resistor circuit 118. The power supply circuit 900 continues to reduce the input voltage VI until the feedback voltage FB drops to the standard feedback voltage.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, at time point T1, the ratio of the resistance value RRU of the variable resistor RU to the resistance value RRD of the variable resistor RD decreases from the ratio RS2 to the ratio RS1, and the feedback voltage FB rises above the standard feedback voltage FBS at time point T1. From time point T1 to time point T2, the feedback voltage FB gradually decreases to return to the standard feedback voltage FBS, and the input voltage VI decreases from voltage V2 to voltage V1 accordingly.

[0038] In another embodiment, when the power consumption of the controller 110 in Figure 1 increases, for example, from power consumption level 1 to power consumption level 0, the logic control circuit 116 determines that the input voltage level needs to be increased from 98% to 100% of the standard operating voltage. The logic control circuit 116 adjusts... Figure 1 The resistance value of resistor circuit 118 in the circuit is used to change the feedback voltage FB. Please refer to [the relevant documentation / reference]. Figure 5 , Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating another operation according to some embodiments of the present invention. When the resistance value of the variable resistor RU increases proportionally to the resistance value of the variable resistor RD, the feedback voltage FB will decrease to below the standard feedback voltage within a short period of time, even without a change in the input voltage VI. When the power supply circuit 900 determines that the feedback voltage FB has decreased to below the standard feedback voltage, the power supply circuit 900 adjusts the input voltage VI according to the decreased feedback voltage FB. When the input voltage VI increases, the feedback voltage FB increases without further change in the resistance value of the resistor circuit 118. The power supply circuit 900 continues to increase the input voltage VI until the feedback voltage FB rises to the standard feedback voltage.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, at time point T3, the ratio of the resistance value RRU of the variable resistor RU to the resistance value RRD of the variable resistor RD increases from the ratio RS1 to the ratio RS2, and the feedback voltage FB decreases to below the standard feedback voltage FBS at time point T3. From time point T3 to time point T4, the feedback voltage FB gradually increases to return to the standard feedback voltage FBS, and the input voltage VI increases from voltage V1 to voltage V2 accordingly.

[0040] In some embodiments, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The feedback voltage FB, input voltage VI, and the ratio of the resistance value RRU of the variable resistor RU to the resistance value RRD of the variable resistor RD (RRU / RRD, i.e., the resistance ratio) change gradually, compared to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The changes shown are relatively gradual.

[0041] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 In some embodiments, the feedback voltage FB, variable resistor RU, variable resistor RD, and input voltage VI operate according to the following formula (1):

[0042]

[0043] In the above formula (1), the controller 110 gradually adjusts the resistance value of the resistor circuit 118 so that the feedback voltage FB changes instantaneously, and the power supply circuit 900 adjusts the input voltage VI so that the feedback voltage FB returns to the standard feedback voltage FBS.

[0044] In some embodiments, Figure 3 The resistance values ​​of the variable resistors RU and RD can be changed by controlling whether the switch is turned on or off.

[0045] The logic control circuit 116 and resistor circuit 118 described above are merely illustrative examples, and all methods for adjusting the feedback voltage are within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this invention.

[0046] In the above embodiment, when the feedback voltage FB changes, the power supply circuit 900 adjusts the input voltage VI until the feedback voltage FB returns to the standard feedback voltage.

[0047] In summary, the present invention provides a controller, a memory device, and a control method. The controller's operating state is automatically monitored by a logic control circuit, and the feedback voltage is adjusted by the voltage divider resistor of the resistor circuit according to the different power consumption of the controller. This changes the feedback voltage, thereby allowing the power supply circuit to output different input voltages to the memory device, further reducing the power consumption of the memory device.

[0048] Various functional components have been disclosed herein. For those skilled in the art, these functional components can be implemented by circuits (whether dedicated circuits or general-purpose circuits operating under the control of one or more processors and coded instructions).

[0049] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A controller, located in a memory device, comprising: A feedback adjustment circuit is used to generate a feedback voltage to a power supply circuit based on a power consumption of the controller, so that the power supply circuit adjusts an input voltage to the memory device based on the feedback voltage. When the power consumption of the controller decreases, the feedback voltage first rises to a level higher than a standard feedback voltage, and as the input voltage decreases to a first voltage level, the feedback voltage decreases to the standard feedback voltage. When the power consumption of the controller increases, the feedback voltage first decreases to below the standard feedback voltage, and as the input voltage increases to a second voltage level, the feedback voltage increases to the standard feedback voltage.

2. The controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power consumption includes multiple power consumption levels, the input voltage includes multiple input voltage levels, and each of the multiple power consumption levels corresponds to one of the multiple input voltage levels.

3. A memory device, comprising: A storage circuit; A controller, coupled to the storage circuit, is used for accessing data by the storage circuit; as well as A power supply circuit is coupled to the controller; The controller is also configured to generate a feedback voltage to the power supply circuit based on a power consumption of the controller, so that the power supply circuit adjusts an input voltage to the memory device based on the feedback voltage. When the power consumption of the controller decreases, the feedback voltage first rises to a level higher than a standard feedback voltage, and as the input voltage decreases to a first voltage level, the feedback voltage decreases to the standard feedback voltage. When the power consumption of the controller increases, the feedback voltage first decreases to below the standard feedback voltage, and as the input voltage increases to a second voltage level, the feedback voltage increases to the standard feedback voltage.

4. The memory device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controller also includes: A feedback regulation circuit, including: A resistor circuit is provided, wherein when the power consumption changes, the resistance value of the resistor circuit changes to change the feedback voltage.

5. The memory device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The feedback adjustment circuit further includes: A logic control circuit, coupled to the resistor circuit, is used to adjust the resistance value of the resistor circuit according to the power consumption, so as to adjust the feedback voltage.

6. The memory device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The resistor circuit also includes: A first variable resistor; and A second variable resistor is connected to the first variable resistor; When the power consumption of the controller is higher, a ratio of a first resistance value of the first variable resistor to a second resistance value of the second variable resistor increases, thereby reducing the feedback voltage; conversely, when the power consumption of the controller is lower, a ratio of the first resistance value of the first variable resistor to a second resistance value of the second variable resistor decreases, thereby increasing the feedback voltage.

7. The memory device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A first terminal of the first variable resistor is used to receive the input voltage, and a second terminal of the first variable resistor is coupled to an output terminal. A first terminal of the second variable resistor is coupled to the output terminal, and a second terminal of the second variable resistor is grounded. The output terminal outputs the feedback voltage.

8. A control method applicable to a memory device, comprising: According to a controller of the memory device, a feedback voltage is generated to a power supply circuit based on a power consumption of the controller, so that the power supply circuit adjusts an input voltage to the controller according to the feedback voltage; According to the controller, when the power consumption decreases, the feedback voltage is increased to reduce the input voltage; as well as According to the controller, when the power consumption increases, the feedback voltage is reduced to increase the input voltage. Specifically, when the power consumption of the controller decreases, the feedback voltage first rises to a level higher than a standard feedback voltage, and as the input voltage decreases to a first voltage level, the feedback voltage decreases to the standard feedback voltage. When the power consumption of the controller increases, the feedback voltage first decreases to below the standard feedback voltage, and as the input voltage increases to a second voltage level, the feedback voltage increases to the standard feedback voltage.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: According to a resistor circuit of the controller, when the power consumption changes, the resistance value of the resistor circuit is changed to change the feedback voltage.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: When the power consumption increases, the resistance ratio of the resistor circuit is increased to reduce the feedback voltage; as well as When the power consumption decreases, the resistance ratio of the resistor circuit is reduced to increase the feedback voltage.

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