Method of controlling charging voltage

Abstract

A method for controlling a charging voltage, the method comprising: receiving first environmental information from an environmental sensor; setting a voltage level of the charging voltage to a first voltage level in response to the first environmental information; charging a secondary power supply including at least one capacitor using the charging voltage having the first voltage level; receiving second environmental information from the environmental sensor; changing the voltage level of the charging voltage in response to the second environmental information being different from the first environmental information; and charging the secondary power supply using the charging voltage having the changed voltage level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs), and more particularly, to a method of controlling a charging voltage to extend the life of a secondary power source and a storage device that performs the method. [Cross-reference to related applications]

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0078595, filed on Jun. 17, 2021, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0003] Certain types of data storage devices include one or more semiconductor memory devices. Examples of such data storage devices include solid state drives (SSDs). SSDs typically use flash memory. Compared to hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs can have various design and / or performance advantages. Compared to HDDs, SSDs are generally more resistant to physical shock, operate quietly, and have faster access times and lower latency. Other differences include the absence of moving mechanical parts, higher stability, and lower power consumption. Recently, various systems such as laptops, cars, airplanes, drones, etc. have adopted SSDs for data storage.

[0004] Storage devices including a storage controller, volatile memory, and nonvolatile memory (NVM) generally operate by receiving externally supplied power. During the operation of the storage device, a sudden power-off (SPO) event may occur in which the power is suddenly interrupted. In other words, the storage device may be inadvertently powered off. Since the storage controller uses volatile memory to store data, when an SPO event occurs, the data stored in the volatile memory may be lost. In addition, when an SPO event occurs, an ongoing operation (e.g., an erase operation, a write operation, or a similar operation) in the nonvolatile memory may not be completed. Therefore, the storage device can use a secondary power source to complete the ongoing operation and can perform a data backup operation.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] At least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of controlling a charging voltage supplied to a secondary power source to efficiently extend the life of the secondary power source.

[0006] At least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage device that performs a method of controlling a charging voltage.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a charging voltage includes: receiving first environmental information from an environmental sensor; setting a voltage level of the charging voltage to a first voltage level in response to the first environmental information; charging a secondary power source including at least one capacitor with the charging voltage having the first voltage level; receiving second environmental information from the environmental sensor; changing the voltage level of the charging voltage in response to the second environmental information being different from the first environmental information; and charging the secondary power source with the charging voltage having the changed voltage level.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a charging voltage includes: determining characteristics of at least one capacitor included in a secondary power source; charging the secondary power source with a charging voltage generated by performing a first control scheme in response to the at least one capacitor having a first characteristic, in the first control scheme, adjusting a voltage level of the charging voltage based on a current capacitance of the secondary power source; and charging the secondary power source with a charging voltage generated by performing a second control scheme in response to the at least one capacitor having a second characteristic, in the second control scheme, adjusting the voltage level of the charging voltage based on the current capacitance of the secondary power source and environmental information received from an environmental sensor.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a charging voltage for charging a secondary power supply including at least one capacitor includes: determining whether the at least one capacitor has a first characteristic or a second characteristic different from the first characteristic; charging the secondary power supply by executing a first control scheme in response to the at least one capacitor having the first characteristic, in the first control scheme, adjusting a voltage level of the charging voltage based on a current capacitance of the secondary power supply; and charging the secondary power supply by executing a second control scheme in response to the at least one capacitor having the second characteristic, in the second control scheme, adjusting the voltage level of the charging voltage based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and environmental information received from an environmental sensor, wherein the first characteristic indicates that a remaining life of the at least one capacitor rapidly decreases as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, wherein the second characteristic indicates that the remaining life of the at least one capacitor slowly decreases as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, or the remaining life of the at least one capacitor is independent of the voltage level of the charging voltage, wherein charging the secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme includes: setting the voltage level of the charging voltage to a first voltage level; charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level; obtaining the current capacitance of the secondary power supply; changing the voltage level of the charging voltage to a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level in response to the current capacitance of the secondary power supply being less than a first reference capacitance; and charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the second voltage level, and wherein charging the secondary power supply by executing the second control scheme includes: receiving initial environmental information from the environmental sensor; setting the voltage level of the charging voltage to a third voltage level based on the initial environmental information; charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the third voltage level; storing the initial environmental information as previous environmental information; receiving current environmental information from the environmental sensor; changing the voltage level of the charging voltage to a fourth voltage level different from the third voltage level in response to the current environmental information being different from the previous environmental information; charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the third voltage level or the fourth voltage level; and storing the current environmental information as new previous environmental information.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage device includes: a secondary power supply including at least one capacitor, wherein the secondary power supply is configured to be charged based on a charging voltage and is configured to generate an internal power supply voltage; a charging circuit configured to generate the charging voltage based on an external power supply voltage and a charging voltage control signal; a monitoring circuit configured to monitor a current capacitance of the secondary power supply; an environmental sensor configured to generate initial environmental information and current environmental information; a voltage controller configured to generate the charging voltage control signal based on the current capacitance, the initial environmental information, and the current environmental information; and a main system configured to operate based on the external power supply voltage or the internal power supply voltage, wherein the charging circuit and the voltage controller are configured to set a voltage level of the charging voltage to a first voltage level based on the initial environmental information, and the secondary power supply is configured to be charged based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level, and wherein, in response to the current environmental information being different from previous environmental information, the charging circuit and the voltage controller are configured to change the voltage level of the charging voltage, and the secondary power supply is configured to be charged based on the charging voltage whose voltage level is changed.

[0011] In the method and the storage device for controlling the charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be adaptively and / or real-time set and changed based on the environmental information received from the environmental sensor, so that the charging voltage is suitable or appropriate for the corresponding environment and there is no lack of energy. In addition, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be adaptively and / or real-time set and changed according to the characteristics of the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply. Therefore, the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply can be efficiently derated, the life of the at least one capacitor can be increased, and thus the life and reliability of the secondary power supply can be improved.

Embodiment

[0013] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout this application, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is performed to adjust a voltage level of a charging voltage for charging a secondary power source (or an auxiliary power device) to extend or elongate the lifespan of the secondary power source. The secondary power source includes at least one capacitor. The secondary power source may be included in an electronic device (or an electronic system) such as a storage device, and when an external power supply voltage for driving the electronic device is interrupted or cut off, an internal power supply voltage for driving the electronic device may be generated. The detailed configuration of the secondary power source and the electronic device (e.g., the storage device) including the secondary power source will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0016] In the method of controlling the charging voltage shown in FIG. 1, the voltage level of the charging voltage is set, adjusted, and / or changed based on environmental information received from an environmental sensor. For example, the environmental sensor may include a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor, and the environmental information may include temperature or humidity. However, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0017] For example, based on the initial environmental information received from the environmental sensor, the voltage level of the charging voltage is set, and the secondary power source is charged using the charging voltage (step S100). For example, the initial environmental information may represent the environmental information obtained at the initial operation time of the secondary power source and the electronic device (e.g., the storage device) including the secondary power source. As an example, the initial environmental information may be obtained immediately after manufacturing the electronic device and / or the storage device or when the electronic device and / or the storage device is powered on. As another example, the voltage level of the charging voltage may be set to a first voltage level. The first voltage level may be referred to as an initial voltage level. Step S100 will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 7.

[0018] After setting the voltage level of the charging voltage, based on the current (or present) environmental information received from the environmental sensor, the voltage level of the charging voltage is selectively changed, and the secondary power source is charged using the charging voltage (step S200). The current environmental information may represent the environmental information obtained in real time or online (or during the runtime) while the secondary power source and the electronic device (e.g., the storage device) including the secondary power source are operating. For example, when the environmental information changes and meets a specific energy condition (e.g., the energy is sufficient to change the voltage level of the charging voltage), the voltage level of the charging voltage may be set to a second voltage level different from the first voltage level. Step S200 will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

[0019] Step S200 can be repeatedly executed while the secondary power supply and an electronic device (e.g., a storage device) including the secondary power supply are operating. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, step S200 can be executed periodically or regularly. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, step S200 can be executed only when an external command is received.

[0020] In the method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be adaptively and / or real-time set and changed based on the environmental information received from an environmental sensor, so that the charging voltage is suitable or appropriate for the corresponding environment and there is no lack of power. Therefore, at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply can be efficiently derated, the life (or lifespan) of the at least one capacitor can be increased, and thus the life and reliability of the secondary power supply can be improved.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device that executes a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 includes a secondary power supply 110, a charging circuit 120, a monitoring circuit 130, an environmental sensor 140, a voltage controller 150, and a main system 160.

[0023] The main system 160 executes various tasks and / or functions for the operation of the electronic device 100 and operates based on an external power supply voltage VEXT or an internal power supply voltage VINT.

[0024] The external power supply voltage VEXT can be provided or supplied from a primary power supply (or main power device) 200 located or set outside the electronic device 100. The internal power supply voltage VINT can be provided or supplied from the secondary power supply 110 located or set inside the electronic device 100. The power supply scheme for the main system 160 can be changed according to whether the external power supply voltage VEXT is normally supplied to the electronic device 100, which will be described more comprehensively with reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B.

[0025] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device 100 can be a storage device used as a storage medium. For example, when the electronic device 100 is a storage device, the main system 160 can include a storage controller, a plurality of non-volatile memories, and a buffer memory. The detailed configuration of the storage device and the components included in the storage device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the electronic device 100 can be one of various electronic devices.

[0026] The secondary power supply 110 includes at least one capacitor, is charged based on the charging voltage VCG, and generates an internal power supply voltage VINT. The detailed configuration of the secondary power supply 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C.

[0027] The charging circuit 120 generates the charging voltage VCG based on the external power supply voltage VEXT and the charging voltage control signal VCONT. For example, the charging circuit 120 can generate the charging voltage VCG based on the external power supply voltage VEXT, and can adjust and / or change the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG based on the charging voltage control signal VCONT.

[0028] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging circuit 120 may include a DC-DC converter that converts the external power supply voltage VEXT, which is a direct current (DC) voltage, into the charging voltage VCG, which is also a DC voltage. For example, the charging circuit 120 may have a configuration corresponding to a buck converter that converts a relatively high DC voltage into a relatively low DC voltage. As another example, the charging circuit 120 may have a configuration corresponding to a boost converter that converts a relatively low DC voltage into a relatively high DC voltage. As an alternative, the charging circuit 120 may have a configuration corresponding to a buck-boost converter that converts the input DC voltage into a relatively high DC voltage and a relatively low DC voltage.

[0029] The monitoring circuit 130 monitors the current capacitance of the secondary power supply 110 and generates a monitoring signal MON indicating the current capacitance. In other words, the monitoring circuit 130 can perform a monitoring operation on the secondary power supply 110. The monitoring operation can be referred to as a capacitor health monitoring (CHM) operation.

[0030] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging circuit 120 and the monitoring circuit 130 may be included in the same chip (or the same integrated circuit (IC)). In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging circuit 120 and the monitoring circuit 130 may be included in different chips. The detailed layout of the charging circuit 120 and the monitoring circuit 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B.

[0031] The environmental sensor 140 detects the operating environment of the secondary power supply 110 and / or the electronic device 100, and generates a sensing signal SEN representing the operating environment. The sensing signal SEN may include initial environment information IE and current environment information CE. In other words, the environmental sensor 140 may generate the initial environment information IE and the current environment information CE.

[0032] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the environmental sensor 140 may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a time sensor, a space sensor, an illumination sensor, an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, a mechanical stress sensor, or a shock sensor. In other words, the operating environment may include temperature, humidity, pressure, motion, time, space, illuminance, acceleration, vibration, mechanical stress, or shock. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the environmental sensor 140 may further include at least one sensor for collecting environmental information, such as an external force sensor, a radiation sensor, a dust sensor, an electrical stress sensor, or the like.

[0033] The voltage controller 150 generates a charging voltage control signal VCONT based on the current capacitance, the initial environment information IE, and the current environment information CE (e.g., in response to the monitoring signal MON and the sensing signal SEN). For example, the voltage controller 150 may include a lookup table (LUT) 152 for generating the charging voltage control signal VCONT. The detailed configuration of the lookup table 152 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 13, and 16.

[0034] The electronic device 100 and the charging circuit 120, the monitoring circuit 130, the environmental sensor 140, and the voltage controller 150 included in the electronic device 100 may execute a method for controlling the charging voltage according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be set and changed based on the environmental information received from the environmental sensor 140. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 15, the scheme for setting and changing the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be changed according to the characteristics of the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply 110. In still other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as will be described with reference to FIG. 17, the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be set and changed in consideration of both the capacitance of the at least one capacitor and the environmental information.

[0035] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are circuit diagrams showing examples of secondary power supplies included in an electronic device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3A, the secondary power supply 110a may include a capacitor 111. The capacitor 111 may be connected between the charging voltage VCG and the ground voltage, and may be charged based on the charging voltage VCG.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3B, the secondary power supply 110b may include a plurality of capacitors 112, 114, and 116. The plurality of capacitors 112, 114, and 116 may be connected in parallel between the charging voltage VCG and the ground voltage, and may be charged based on the charging voltage VCG.

[0038] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of capacitors 112, 114, and 116 may be homogeneous capacitors having the same characteristics. In this example, the plurality of capacitors 112, 114, and 116 may be charged based on the same charging voltage (e.g., based on the charging voltage VCG), and the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be adjusted based on the same control scheme.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3C, the secondary power supply 110c may include a plurality of capacitors 113, 115, 117, and 119. A first capacitor 113 and 115 among the plurality of capacitors 113, 115, 117, and 119 may be connected in parallel between the first charging voltage VCG1 and the ground voltage, and may be charged based on the first charging voltage VCG1. A second capacitor 117 and 119 among the plurality of capacitors 113, 115, 117, and 119 may be connected in parallel between the second charging voltage VCG2 and the ground voltage, and may be charged based on the second charging voltage VCG2.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of capacitors 113, 115, 117, and 119 may be homogeneous capacitors having the same characteristics. In this example, the plurality of capacitors 113, 115, 117, and 119 may be charged based on different charging voltages (e.g., based on the first charging voltage VCG1 and the second charging voltage VCG2). However, the voltage levels of the first charging voltage VCG1 and the second charging voltage VCG2 may be adjusted based on the same control scheme.

[0041] In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of capacitors 113, 115, 117, and 119 may be heterogeneous capacitors having different characteristics. For example, the first capacitors 113 and 115 may have a first characteristic, and the second capacitors 117 and 119 may have a second characteristic different from the first characteristic. In this example, the plurality of capacitors 113, 115, 117, and 119 may be charged based on different charging voltages (e.g., based on a first charging voltage VCG1 and a second charging voltage VCG2), and the voltage levels of the first charging voltage VCG1 and the second charging voltage VCG2 may be adjusted based on different control schemes. Examples of changing the schemes for adjusting the voltage levels of the charging voltages VCG1 and VCG2 according to the characteristics of the capacitors will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 15.

[0042] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first capacitors 113 and 115 may form a secondary power source, and the second capacitors 117 and 119 may form another secondary power source.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a main system included in the electronic device shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the main system 300 may include a memory controller 310, a plurality of non-volatile memories (NVMs) 320a, 320b, and 320c, and a buffer memory 330. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the main system 300 when the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is a storage device.

[0045] The memory controller 310 may control the operation of the storage device including the main system 300 and / or the operation of the plurality of non-volatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c based on commands and data received from an external host device.

[0046] The plurality of non-volatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c may be controlled by the memory controller 310 and may store a plurality of data. For example, the plurality of non-volatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c may store metadata, various user data, or the like.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of non-volatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c may include a NAND flash memory. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of non-volatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c may include an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a phase change random access memory (PRAM), a resistance random access memory (RRAM), a nano floating gate memory (NFGM), a polymer random access memory (PoRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), or the like.

[0048] The buffer memory 330 may be controlled by the memory controller 310, may store instructions and / or data executed and / or processed by the memory controller 310, and may temporarily store data stored in or to be stored in the plurality of non-volatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c. For example, the buffer memory 330 may include at least one of various volatile memories such as, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage device may be a solid state drive (SSD). In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage device may be a universal flash storage (UFS), a multi media card (MMC), or an embedded multi media card (eMMC). In still some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage device may be one of a secure digital (SD) card, a micro SD card, a memory stick, a chip card, a universal serial bus (USB) card, a smart card, a compact flash (CF) card, or the like.

[0050] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage device may be connected to the host device via a block accessible interface, and the block accessible interface may include, for example, UFS, eMMC, a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) bus, a nonvolatile memory express (NVMe) bus, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, a serial attached SCSI (SAS) bus, or the like. The storage device may use a block accessible address space corresponding to the access size of the plurality of nonvolatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c, and provide a block accessible interface to the host device so that data stored in the plurality of nonvolatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c can be accessed in units of memory blocks.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the memory controller included in the main system shown in FIG. 4.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, the memory controller 400 may include at least one processor 410, a memory 420, a host interface (I / F) 430, an error correction code (ECC) engine 440, a memory interface 450, and an advanced encryption standard (AES) engine 460.

[0053] The processor 410 may control the operation of the memory controller 400 in response to commands received from an external host device via the host interface 430. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 410 may control the corresponding components by adopting firmware for operating a storage device including the memory controller 400.

[0054] The memory 420 may store instructions and data executed and processed by the processor 410. For example, the memory 420 may include volatile memory such as, for example, DRAM, static random access memory (SRAM), cache memory, or the like.

[0055] The ECC engine 440 for error correction may perform encoding modulation using Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes, low density parity check (LDPC) codes, turbo codes, Reed-Solomon codes, convolutional codes, recursive systematic codes (RSC), trellis-coded modulation (TCM), block coded modulation (BCM), etc., or may perform ECC encoding and ECC decoding using the above codes or other error correction codes.

[0056] The host interface 430 can provide a physical connection between the host device and the storage device. The host interface 430 can provide an interface corresponding to the bus format of the host for communication between the host device and the storage device. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the bus format of the host device can be an SCSI or SAS interface. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the bus format of the host device can be formats such as USB, peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe), advanced technology attachment (ATA), parallel ATA (PATA), SATA, NVMe, etc.

[0057] The memory interface 450 can exchange data with the non-volatile memory included in the storage device (e.g., the non-volatile memories 320a, 320b, and 320c in FIG. 4). The memory interface 450 can transmit data to the non-volatile memory or can receive data read from the non-volatile memory. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the memory interface 450 can be connected to the non-volatile memory through one channel. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the memory interface 450 can be connected to the non-volatile memory through two or more channels. For example, the memory interface 450 can be configured to conform to standard protocols such as Toggle or open NAND flash interface (ONFI).

[0058] The AES engine 460 can perform at least one of an encryption operation and a decryption operation on the data input to the storage controller 400 using a symmetric-key algorithm. The AES engine 460 can include an encryption module and a decryption module. For example, the encryption module and the decryption module can be implemented as separate modules. As another example, a single module capable of performing both the encryption operation and the decryption operation can be implemented in the AES engine 460.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the non-volatile memory included in the main system shown in FIG. 4.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, the non-volatile memory 500 can include a memory cell array 510, an address decoder 520, a page buffer circuit 530, a data input / output (I / O) circuit 540, a voltage generator 550, and a control circuit 560.

[0061] The memory cell array 510 can be connected to the address decoder 520 via a plurality of string selection lines SSL, a plurality of word lines WL, and a plurality of ground selection lines GSL. The memory cell array 510 can be further connected to the page buffer circuit 530 via a plurality of bit lines BL. The memory cell array 510 can include a plurality of memory cells (e.g., a plurality of non-volatile memory cells) connected to the plurality of word lines WL and the plurality of bit lines BL. The memory cell array 510 can be divided into a plurality of memory blocks BLK1, BLK2, ..., BLKz, and each of the plurality of memory blocks BLK1, BLK2, ..., BLKz includes memory cells. Additionally, each of the plurality of memory blocks BLK1, BLK2, ..., BLKz can be divided into a plurality of pages.

[0062] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of memory cells can be arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) array structure or a three-dimensional (3D) vertical array structure. The 3D vertical array structure can include vertically oriented vertical cell strings, such that at least one memory cell is located above another memory cell. The at least one memory cell can include a charge trapping layer. The following patent documents incorporated herein by reference in their entirety describe the configuration of a memory cell array including a 3D vertical array structure, wherein the three-dimensional memory array is configured as a plurality of levels, and word lines and / or bit lines are shared between levels: U.S. Patent No. 7,679,133; No. 8,553,466; No. 8,654,587; No. 8,559,235; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011 / 0233648.

[0063] The control circuit 560 can receive commands CMD and addresses ADDR from the outside (e.g., a host device and / or a storage controller), and can control the erase operation, the program operation, and the read operation of the non-volatile memory 500 based on the commands CMD and addresses ADDR. The erase operation can include performing a series of erase loops, and the program operation can include performing a series of program loops. Each program loop can include a program operation and a program verification operation. Each erase loop can include an erase operation and an erase verification operation. The read operation can include a normal read operation and a data recovery read operation.

[0064] For example, the control circuit 560 can generate a control signal CON for controlling the voltage generator 550 based on the command CMD, can generate a control signal PBC for controlling the page buffer circuit 530, and can generate a column address R_ADDR and a row address C_ADDR based on the address ADDR. The control circuit 560 can provide the column address R_ADDR to the address decoder 520, and can provide the row address C_ADDR to the data I / O circuit 540.

[0065] The address decoder 520 can be connected to the memory cell array 510 through the plurality of string selection lines SSL, the plurality of word lines WL, and the plurality of ground selection lines GSL.

[0066] For example, in a data erase / write / read operation, the address decoder 520 can determine at least one of the plurality of word lines WL as a selected word line based on the column address R_ADDR, and can determine the remaining part or the rest of the plurality of word lines WL other than the selected word line as an unselected word line.

[0067] In addition, in a data erase / write / read operation, the address decoder 520 can determine at least one of the plurality of string selection lines SSL as a selected string selection line based on the column address R_ADDR, and can determine the remaining part or the rest of the plurality of string selection lines SSL other than the selected string selection line as an unselected string selection line.

[0068] Furthermore, in a data erase / write / read operation, the address decoder 520 can determine at least one of the plurality of ground selection lines GSL as a selected ground selection line based on the column address R_ADDR, and can determine the remaining part or the rest of the plurality of ground selection lines GSL other than the selected ground selection line as an unselected ground selection line.

[0069] The voltage generator 550 can generate a voltage VS required for the operation of the non-volatile memory 500 based on the power PWR and the control signal CON. The power PWR can be provided from the primary power supply 200 or the secondary power supply 110. The voltage VS can be applied to the plurality of string selection lines SSL, the plurality of word lines WL, and the plurality of ground selection lines GSL through the address decoder 520. In addition, the voltage generator 550 can generate an erase voltage VERS required for a data erase operation based on the power PWR and the control signal CON. The erase voltage VERS can be directly applied to the memory cell array 510 or applied to the memory cell array 510 through the bit line BL.

[0070] For example, during an erase operation, the voltage generator 550 may apply an erase voltage VERS to the common source line and / or bit line BL of a memory block (e.g., the selected memory block), and may apply an erase permission voltage (e.g., a ground voltage) to all the word lines or a part of the word lines of the memory block by means of the address decoder 520. Additionally, during an erase verification operation, the voltage generator 550 may apply an erase verification voltage to all the word lines of the memory block simultaneously, or may apply the erase verification voltage to the word lines sequentially one by one.

[0071] For example, during a programming operation, the voltage generator 550 may apply a programming voltage to the selected word line, and may apply a program pass voltage to the unselected word lines by means of the address decoder 520. Additionally, during a programming verification operation, the voltage generator 550 may apply a program verification voltage to the selected word line, and may apply a verification pass voltage to the unselected word lines by means of the address decoder 520.

[0072] Additionally, during a normal read operation, the voltage generator 550 may apply a read voltage to the selected word line, and may apply a read pass voltage to the unselected word lines by means of the address decoder 520. During a data recovery read operation, the voltage generator 550 may apply a read voltage to the word lines adjacent to the selected word line, and may apply a recovery read voltage to the selected word line by means of the address decoder 520.

[0073] The page buffer circuit 530 may be connected to the memory cell array 510 via the plurality of bit lines BL. The page buffer circuit 530 may include a plurality of page buffers. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each page buffer may be connected to one bit line. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each page buffer may be connected to two or more bit lines.

[0074] The page buffer circuit 530 may store the data DAT to be programmed into the memory cell array 510, or may read the data DAT sensed from the memory cell array 510. In other words, according to the operation mode of the non-volatile memory 500, the page buffer circuit 530 may operate as a write driver or a sense amplifier.

[0075] The data I / O circuit 540 can be connected to the page buffer circuit 530 via the data line DL. Based on the row address C_ADDR, the data I / O circuit 540 can provide the data DAT from the outside of the non-volatile memory 500 to the memory cell array 510 via the page buffer circuit 530, or can provide the data DAT from the memory cell array 510 to the outside of the non-volatile memory 500.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for controlling the charging voltage shown in FIG. 1.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, when setting the voltage level of the charging voltage based on the initial environmental information and charging the secondary power supply (step S100 shown in FIG. 1), the initial environmental information can be received from the environmental sensor (step S110), and the voltage level of the charging voltage can be set based on the initial environmental information (step S120). For example, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be set to a first voltage level as the initial voltage level. For example, step S110 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2. For example, the voltage controller 150 can receive the initial environmental information from the environmental sensor 140. Step S120 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 and the charging circuit 120 in FIG. 2. For example, the voltage controller 150 can provide a charging voltage control signal VCONT to the charging circuit 120.

[0078] The secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage set in step S120 (step S130). For example, the secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level.

[0079] The initial environmental information can be stored as the previous environmental information (step S140). For example, step S140 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2. For example, the voltage controller 150 can store the previous environmental information in the look-up table (LUT) 152.

[0080] After step S100 shown in FIG. 1, when selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage based on the current environmental information and charging the secondary power supply (step S200 shown in FIG. 1), the current environmental information can be received from the environmental sensor (step S210), and the current environmental information can be compared with the previous environmental information (step S220). For example, steps S210 and S220 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2. For example, the voltage controller 150 can compare the current or present environmental information with the previous environmental information stored in the look-up table (LUT) 152.

[0081] When the current environmental information changes or is different from the previous environmental information (or in response to the change of the current environmental information relative to the previous environmental information) (step S220: No), the voltage level of the charging voltage can be selectively changed based on the changed environmental information (e.g., the current environmental information) (step S230). When the operating environment of the electronic device 100 changes, the current environmental information can change or be different from the previous environmental information. Therefore, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be selectively changed to a second voltage level different from the first voltage level. The second voltage level can be greater than or less than the first voltage level. Step S230 can be executed by the monitoring circuit 130, the voltage controller 150, and the charging circuit 120 in FIG. 2. Step S230 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0082] When the current environmental information is substantially equal to or the same as the previous environmental information (or in response to the current environmental information being equal to the previous environmental information) (step S220: Yes), the voltage level of the charging voltage can be maintained (step S250). When the operating environment of the electronic device 100 does not change and is maintained, the current environmental information can be substantially equal to or the same as the previous environmental information. Therefore, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be maintained as the first voltage level. Step S250 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 and the charging circuit 120 in FIG. 2. For example, if the current environmental information is within a predetermined threshold range of the previous environmental information, the current environmental information can be regarded as substantially equal to or the same as the previous environmental information.

[0083] The secondary power supply can be charged based on the result of executing step S230 or step S250 (step S260). For example, when the operating environment changes and step S230 is executed, the secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage whose voltage level is selectively changed (e.g., based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level or the second voltage level). When the operating environment is maintained and step S250 is executed, the secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage whose voltage level is maintained (e.g., based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level).

[0084] Steps S210, S220, S230, S250, and S260 can be repeatedly executed while the secondary power supply and the electronic device including the secondary power supply are operating.

[0085] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, steps S210, S220, S230, S250, and S260 can be executed periodically or regularly. For example, the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 2 can include a timer, a counter, or the like for periodically executing steps S210, S220, S230, S250, and S260.

[0086] In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, steps S210, S220, S230, S250, and S260 may be performed based on an external command. For example, the external command may be provided from an external host device and / or a controller (e.g., the memory controller 310 in FIG. 4) included in the main system 160 of the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 2.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage in FIG. 7.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, when selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage (step S230 in FIG. 7), it may be determined whether the secondary power supply satisfies the necessary (or required) energy condition corresponding to the current environmental information (e.g., the changed environmental information) (step S232). For example, step S232 may be performed by the monitoring circuit 130 and the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2. Step S232 will be further elaborated in detail with reference to FIG. 9.

[0089] When the secondary power supply satisfies the necessary energy condition (or in response to the secondary power supply satisfying the necessary energy condition) (step S232: Yes), the voltage level of the charging voltage may be changed (step S242). For example, the voltage level of the charging voltage may be changed to a second voltage level different from the first voltage level and corresponding to the current environmental information. The second voltage level may be referred to as an expected change voltage level corresponding to the changed environmental information. In other words, when the operating environment changes and there is also sufficient energy for changing the voltage level (e.g., there is also sufficient energy associated with the expected change voltage level), the voltage level of the charging voltage may be changed. For example, step S242 may be performed by the voltage controller 150 and the charging circuit 120 in FIG. 2.

[0090] After the voltage level of the charging voltage is changed in step S242, the current environmental information may be stored as the previous environmental information (step S244). In other words, the environmental information may be updated. For example, step S244 may be performed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2. For example, the look-up table 152 may be updated using the current environmental information.

[0091] When the secondary power supply does not meet the necessary energy condition (or in response to the secondary power supply not meeting the necessary energy condition) (step S232: No), the voltage level of the charging voltage can be maintained (step S246). For example, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be maintained at the first voltage level. In other words, even if the operating environment changes, when the energy for changing the voltage level is insufficient (for example, the energy associated with the expected changed voltage level), the voltage level of the charging voltage can remain unchanged and be maintained. Step S246 can be similar to step S250 in FIG. 7.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of determining whether the secondary power supply meets the necessary energy condition in FIG. 8.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9, when determining whether the secondary power supply meets the necessary energy condition (step S232 shown in FIG. 8), the current capacitance of the secondary power supply can be obtained by performing a monitoring operation (step S234). For example, the current capacitance can be obtained based on the charging time required to charge the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage measurement and the discharging time required to discharge the secondary power supply. For example, step S234 can be performed by the monitoring circuit 130 in FIG. 2.

[0094] The expected change energy value can be obtained based on the current capacitance and the expected changed voltage level (for example, the second voltage level) corresponding to the current environmental information (for example, the changed environmental information) (step S235). In other words, the current capacitance and the second voltage level can be used to determine the expected change energy value. The necessary energy value and the expected change energy value can be compared (step S236). For example, the necessary energy value can represent a reference value for determining whether to change the voltage level of the charging voltage, and can be predetermined during the design process of the secondary power supply. The necessary energy value can be referred to as the power-loss protection (PLP) necessary energy value, the energy threshold value, or the reference energy value. For example, steps S235 and S236 can be performed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2.

[0095] When the necessary energy value is less than the expected change energy value (or in response to the necessary energy value being less than the expected change energy value) (step S236: Yes), for example, when the expected change energy value is greater than or equal to the necessary energy value, it can be determined that the necessary energy condition is satisfied (step S237), and thus, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be changed by executing S242 in FIG. 8. When the necessary energy value is greater than or equal to the expected change energy value (or in response to the necessary energy value being greater than or equal to the expected change energy value) (step S236: No), for example, when the expected change energy value is less than the necessary energy value, it can be determined that the necessary energy condition is not satisfied (step S238), and thus, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be maintained by executing S246 in FIG. 8. For example, steps S237 and S238 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2.

[0096] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, after changing the voltage level of the charging voltage to the second voltage level and updating the environmental information by executing steps S220, S230, S232, S242, and S244 as described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, steps S210 and S220 can be executed again. When it is determined by executing steps S210 and S220 again that the operating environment has changed again, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be selectively changed to a third voltage level different from the first voltage level and the second voltage level, or the voltage level of the charging voltage can be selectively changed back to the first voltage level. In other words, the voltage level of the charging voltage can increase, be maintained, or decrease over time.

[0097] FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating the operations shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 10, an example of a first look-up table LUT1 for performing the operations of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 is shown. For example, the first look-up table LUT1 can be included in the look-up table 152 in the voltage controller 150 shown in FIG. 2.

[0099] The first look-up table LUT1 can represent the relationship between the voltage level of the charging voltage and the environmental information. For example, the environmental information ER11 and its corresponding voltage level V11 can be referred to as state S11, the environmental information ER21 and its corresponding voltage level V21 can be referred to as state S21, and the environmental information ER31 and its corresponding voltage level V31 can be referred to as state S31.

[0100] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the environmental information ER11, ER21, and ER31 may correspond to a specific value or a specific range. For example, when the environmental sensor 140 includes a temperature sensor, each of the environmental information ER11, ER21, and ER31 may represent a temperature value or a temperature range. As another example, when the environmental sensor 140 includes a humidity sensor, each of the environmental information ER11, ER21, and ER31 may represent a humidity value or a humidity range. As yet another example, when the environmental sensor 140 includes both a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, each of the environmental information ER11, ER21, and ER31 may include a temperature / humidity value or a temperature / humidity range.

[0101] The operations of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 will be described below with reference to the first look-up table LUT1.

[0102] In step S110, when the initial environmental information IE corresponding to the environmental information ER11 is received (for example, when the initial temperature value is included in the temperature range of the environmental information ER11), the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be set to the voltage level V11, and the secondary power supply 110 may be charged based on the charging voltage VCG having the voltage level V11.

[0103] Thereafter, in step S210, when the current environmental information CE corresponding to the environmental information ER21 is received (for example, when the current temperature value is included in the temperature range of the environmental information ER21), the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be selectively changed to the voltage level V21 as the expected change voltage level based on the changed environmental information. For example, the current capacitance of the secondary power supply 110 may be obtained, the expected change energy value may be obtained based on Equation 1, when the expected change energy value is greater than or equal to the necessary energy value, the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be changed to the voltage level V21, and the secondary power supply 110 may be charged based on the charging voltage VCG having the voltage level V21. [Equation 1] CEV = 0.5 * CC * (V21)2

[0104] In Equation 1, CEV represents the expected change energy value, CC represents the current capacitance, and V21 represents the expected change voltage level.

[0105] In step S210, when the current environmental information CE corresponding to the environmental information ER11 is received (for example, when the current temperature value is still included in the temperature range of the environmental information ER11), or even when the current environmental information CE corresponding to the environmental information ER21 is received, when the expected change energy value is less than the necessary energy value, the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG can be maintained at the voltage level V11 without changing to the voltage level V21, and the secondary power supply 110 can be charged based on the charging voltage VCG having the voltage level V11.

[0106] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Redundant descriptions that overlap with FIG. 1 will not be repeated.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 11, in the method of controlling a charging voltage shown in FIG. 11 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a scheme for setting, adjusting, and / or changing the voltage level of the charging voltage can be changed according to the characteristics of the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply.

[0108] For example, the characteristics of the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply are determined (step S1100).

[0109] When the at least one capacitor has a first characteristic (or in response to the at least one capacitor having a first characteristic) (step S1100: Yes), the secondary power supply is charged by executing a first control scheme in which the voltage level of the charging voltage is adjusted based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply (step S1200). In the first control scheme of step S1200, the environmental information received from the environmental sensor may not be used. Step S1200 will be further described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

[0110] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first characteristic may indicate that the life or remaining life of the at least one capacitor decreases more rapidly as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases. In other words, the first characteristic may indicate a situation in which the derating of the at least one capacitor accelerates as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases.

[0111] When the at least one capacitor has a second characteristic different from the first characteristic (or in response to the at least one capacitor having the second characteristic) (step S1100: No), the secondary power supply is charged by executing a second control scheme in which the voltage level of the charging voltage is adjusted based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and the environmental information received from the environmental sensor (step S1300). The second control scheme of step S1300 is different from the first control scheme in that it involves environmental information. For example, in the second control scheme of step S1300, the environmental information received from the environmental sensor can be used in combination with the current capacitance of the secondary power supply.

[0112] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the second characteristic may indicate that the life or remaining life of the at least one capacitor decreases more slowly as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, or the life or remaining life of the at least one capacitor is independent of the voltage level of the charging voltage. In other words, the second characteristic may indicate a situation in which the derating of the at least one capacitor is delayed as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, or the derating of the at least one capacitor is independent of the voltage level of the charging voltage.

[0113] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, step S1300 may be performed as described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, in the second control scheme, as in steps S100 and S200 shown in FIG. 1, the initial environmental information may be used to set the initial voltage level of the charging voltage, and the current environmental information may be used to selectively change the voltage level of the charging voltage. For example, the second control scheme may be performed as described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. In other words, the example shown in FIG. 1 may be applied or adopted to the case where the at least one capacitor has the second characteristic.

[0114] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when the secondary power supply is implemented as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, steps S1200 or S1300 may be performed on all the capacitors included in the secondary power supply. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when the secondary power supply is implemented as shown in FIG. 3C, steps S1200 may be performed on some capacitors, and steps S1300 may be performed on other capacitors.

[0115] In the method of controlling the charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be adaptively and / or real-time set and changed according to the characteristics of the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply. Therefore, the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply can be efficiently derated, the life of the at least one capacitor can be increased, and thus the life and reliability of the secondary power supply can be improved.

[0116] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of charging a secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme in FIG. 11.

[0117] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, when charging the secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme (step S1200), the voltage level of the charging voltage can be set (step S1210). For example, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be set to a first voltage level as the initial voltage level. For example, step S1210 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 and the charging circuit 120 in FIG. 2.

[0118] The secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage set in step S1210 (step S1220). For example, the secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level.

[0119] A reference capacitor can be set (step S1230). For example, the reference capacitor can be set to a first reference capacitor as the initial reference capacitor. For example, the reference capacitor can represent a reference value for determining whether to change the voltage level of the charging voltage. The reference capacitor can be referred to as a threshold capacitor. For example, step S1230 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2.

[0120] After step S1230, the current capacitor of the secondary power supply can be obtained by executing a monitoring operation (step S1240). Step S1240 can be substantially the same as step S234 in FIG. 9.

[0121] The current capacitor can be compared with the reference capacitor (e.g., the first reference capacitor) (step S1250). For example, step S1250 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2.

[0122] When the current capacitor is less than the reference capacitor (e.g., the first reference capacitor) (or in response to the current capacitor being less than the first reference capacitor) (step S1250: YES), the voltage level of the charging voltage can be changed (step S1260), and then the reference capacitor can be changed (step S1270). For example, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be changed to a second voltage level different from the first voltage level, and the reference capacitor can be changed to a second reference capacitor different from the first reference capacitor. In other words, the reference capacitor can be updated. For example, the second voltage level can be higher than the first voltage level, and the second reference capacitor can be less than the first reference capacitor. For example, step S1260 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 and the charging circuit 120 in FIG. 2, and step S1270 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2.

[0123] When the current capacitor is greater than or equal to a reference capacitor (e.g., a first reference capacitor) (or in response to the current capacitor being greater than or equal to the first reference capacitor) (step S1250: No), the voltage level of the charging voltage can be maintained (step S1280). For example, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be maintained at a first voltage level, and the reference capacitor can also be maintained at the first reference capacitor. For example, step S1280 can be executed by the voltage controller 150 and the charging circuit 120 in FIG. 2.

[0124] The secondary power supply can be charged based on the result of executing step S1260 or step S1280 (step S1290). For example, when the current capacitor is less than the reference capacitor and step S1260 is executed, the secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage whose voltage level is changed (e.g., based on the charging voltage having a second voltage level). When the current capacitor is greater than or equal to the reference capacitor and step S1280 is executed, the secondary power supply can be charged based on the charging voltage whose voltage level is maintained (e.g., based on the charging voltage having a first voltage level).

[0125] Steps S1240, S1250, S1260, S1270, S1280, and S1290 can be repeatedly executed while the secondary power supply and the electronic device including the secondary power supply are operating. As described with reference to FIG. 7, steps S1240, S1250, S1260, S1270, S1280, and S1290 can be executed periodically or based on an external command.

[0126] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, after changing the voltage level of the charging voltage to a second voltage level and updating the reference capacitor by executing steps S1250, S1260, and S1270 as described above, steps S1240 and S1250 can be executed again. When it is determined that the current capacitor is less than the reference capacitor (e.g., a second reference capacitor) by executing steps S1240 and S1250 again, the voltage level of the charging voltage can be changed to a third voltage level different from the first voltage level and the second voltage level, and the reference capacitor can be changed to a third reference capacitor different from the first reference capacitor and the second reference capacitor. For example, the third voltage level can be higher than the first voltage level and the second voltage level, and the third reference capacitor can be smaller than the first reference capacitor and the second reference capacitor. In this example, the voltage level of the charging voltage can increase or be maintained over time, but may not decrease.

[0127] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are diagrams for illustrating the operations shown in FIG. 12. The descriptions that are repeated with FIG. 10 will not be elaborated again.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 13, an example of a second look-up table LUT2 for performing the operation shown in FIG. 12 is shown. For example, the second look-up table LUT2 may be included in the look-up table 152 in the voltage controller 150 shown in FIG. 2.

[0129] The second look-up table LUT2 may represent the relationship between the voltage levels of the charging voltage and the reference capacitance. For example, the voltage level V12 and the corresponding capacitance C12 may be referred to as state S12, the voltage level V22 and the corresponding capacitance C22 may be referred to as state S22, and the voltage level V32 and the corresponding capacitance C32 may be referred to as state S32.

[0130] The operation shown in FIG. 12 will be described below with reference to the second look-up table LUT2.

[0131] At the initial operation time, the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be set to the voltage level V12 which is the lowest voltage level, and the secondary power supply 110 may be charged based on the charging voltage VCG having the voltage level V12. The reference capacitance may be set to the capacitance C22 included in state S22, and state S22 is the next state of state S12 including the voltage level V12.

[0132] After that, the current capacitance of the secondary power supply 110 may be obtained. When the current capacitance is less than the capacitance C22, the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be set to the voltage level V22 which is higher than the voltage level V12 and included in state S22, the secondary power supply 110 may be charged based on the charging voltage VCG having the voltage level V22, and the reference capacitance may be set to the capacitance C32 which is less than the capacitance C22 and included in the next state S32. When the current capacitance is greater than or equal to the capacitance C22, the voltage level of the charging voltage VCG may be maintained at the voltage level V12 without changing to the voltage level V22, and the secondary power supply 110 may be charged based on the charging voltage VCG having the voltage level V12.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 14, the change in the capacitance of the secondary power supply over time is shown.

[0134] In FIG. 14, Case 1 represents a conventional method in which the voltage level of the charging voltage is fixed, and Case 2 represents an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in which the voltage level of the charging voltage is changed. In Case 2, T1 represents a time interval during which the voltage level of the charging voltage is set to a first voltage level, T2 represents a time interval during which the voltage level of the charging voltage is set to a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level, and T3 represents a time interval during which the voltage level of the charging voltage is set to a third voltage level higher than the second voltage level. When the capacitance of the secondary power supply decreases to a limit capacitance CLIMIT, it can be determined that the life of the secondary power supply has expired, and thus it can be seen that Case 2 has an increased life of the secondary power supply compared to Case 1.

[0135] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Redundant descriptions that repeat those of FIGS. 1 and 11 will not be given again.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 15, in the method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, steps S1100 and S1300 may be substantially the same as steps S1100 and S1300 in FIG. 11, respectively.

[0137] When the at least one capacitor has a first characteristic (step S1100: Yes), the secondary power supply is charged by executing a first control scheme in which the voltage level of the charging voltage is adjusted based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and the environmental information received from the environmental sensor (step S1200a). Different from the first control scheme of step S1200 shown in FIG. 11, in the first control scheme of step S1200a, the environmental information received from the environmental sensor may be additionally used. For example, when steps S1210 and S1250 in FIG. 12 are executed, the environmental information may be additionally used.

[0138] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation shown in FIG. 15. Redundant descriptions that repeat those of FIGS. 10 and 13 will not be given again.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 16, an example of a third look-up table LUT3 for executing step S1200a in FIG. 15 is shown. For example, the third look-up table LUT3 may be included in the look-up table 152 in the voltage controller 150 shown in FIG. 2.

[0140] The third look-up table LUT3 can represent the relationships among the voltage levels V13, V23, and V33 of the charging voltage, the reference capacitors C13, C23, and C33, and the environmental information ER13, ER23, and ER33 as states S13, S23, and S33. For example, the voltage level V13, the capacitor C13, and the corresponding environmental information ER13 can be referred to as state S13.

[0141] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Descriptions that are repeated with FIGS. 1, 11, and 15 will not be elaborated again.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 17, in the method for controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the characteristics of the at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply, the initial capacitance of the secondary power supply, and the initial environmental information received from the environmental sensor, the voltage level of the charging voltage is set and the secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage (step S2100). Based on the characteristics of the at least one capacitor, the current capacitance of the secondary power supply, and the current environmental information received from the environmental sensor, the voltage level of the charging voltage is changed or maintained and the secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage (step S2200).

[0143] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, step S1200 in FIG. 11 or step S1200a in FIG. 15 may correspond to the method for controlling a charging voltage shown in FIG. 17. For example, steps S1210, S1220, and S1230 in FIG. 12 may correspond to step S2100, and steps S1240, S1250, S1260, S1270, S1280, and S1290 in FIG. 12 may correspond to step S2200.

[0144] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for controlling a charging voltage shown in FIG. 1 or step S1300 in FIGS. 11 and 15 may correspond to the method for controlling a charging voltage shown in FIG. 17. For example, steps S100 and S200 in FIG. 1 may correspond to steps S2100 and S2200, respectively.

[0145] FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A, and 19B are diagrams for illustrating the configuration and operation of an electronic device that executes the method for controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 18A, the electronic device may include a PLP IC 600a, a controller IC 700a, and a sensor IC 800. The PLP IC 600a may include a secondary power supply 110, a charging circuit 120, and a monitoring circuit 130. The controller IC 700a may include a voltage controller 150. The sensor IC 800 may include an environmental sensor 140. An IC represents an individual chip or package. FIG. 18A shows an example in which the charging circuit 120 and the monitoring circuit 130 are included in the same chip.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 18B, the electronic device may include a PLP IC 600b, a controller IC 700b, and a sensor IC 800. The PLP IC 600b may include a secondary power supply 110 and a charging circuit 120. The controller IC 700b may include a monitoring circuit 130 and a voltage controller 150. The sensor IC 800 may include an environmental sensor 140. FIG. 18B shows an example in which the charging circuit 120 and the monitoring circuit 130 are included in different chips.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 19A, when an external power supply voltage VEXT is normally supplied to the electronic device, the power PWR_VEXT generated based on the external power supply voltage VEXT may be supplied to the memory controller 310, the non-volatile memory 320, and the buffer memory 330 through the PLP IC 600 and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 900. In other words, the main system 300 may operate based on the external power supply voltage VEXT.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 19B, when the external power supply voltage VEXT is interrupted or cut off (e.g., when a sudden power-off (SPO) event occurs), the secondary power supply 110 may generate an internal power supply voltage VINT, and the power PWR_VINT generated based on the internal power supply voltage VINT may be supplied to the memory controller 310, the non-volatile memory 320, and the buffer memory 330 through the PLP IC 600 and the PMIC 900. In other words, the main system 300 may operate based on the internal power supply voltage VINT.

[0150] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a data center including a storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 20, the data center 3000 can be a facility for collecting various types of data and providing various services, and can be referred to as a data storage center. The data center 3000 can be a system for operating a search engine and a database, and can be a computing system used by a company such as a bank or a government agency. The data center 3000 can include application servers 3100 to 3100n and storage servers 3200 to 3200m. The number of application servers 3100 to 3100n and the number of storage servers 3200 to 3200m can be differently selected according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and the number of application servers 3100 to 3100n and the number of storage servers 3200 to 3200m can be different from each other.

[0152] The application server 3100 may include at least one processor 3110 and at least one memory 3120, and the storage server 3200 may include at least one processor 3210 and at least one memory 3220. As an example, the operation of the storage server 3200 will be described. The processor 3210 may control the overall operation of the storage server 3200 and may access the memory 3220 to execute instructions and / or data loaded in the memory 3220. The memory 3220 may include at least one of double data rate (DDR) synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), high bandwidth memory (HBM), hybrid memory cube (HMC), dual in-line memory module (DIMM), Optane DIMM, nonvolatile DIMM (NVDIMM), etc. The number of processors 3210 and the number of memories 3220 included in the storage server 3200 may be differently selected according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 3210 and the memory 3220 may provide a processor-memory pair. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of processors 3210 and the number of memories 3220 may be different from each other. The processor 3210 may include a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The above description of the storage server 3200 may be similarly applied to the application server 3100. The application server 3100 may include at least one storage device 3150, and the storage server 3200 may include at least one storage device 3250. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the application server 3100 may not include the storage device 3150. The number of storage devices 3250 included in the storage server 3200 may be differently selected according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0153] The application servers 3100 to 3100n and the storage servers 3200 to 3200m may communicate with each other via the network 3300. The network 3300 may be implemented using fiber channel (FC) or Ethernet. FC may be a medium for relatively high-speed data transmission and may use optical switches that provide high performance and / or high availability. According to the access scheme of the network 3300, the storage servers 3200 to 3200m may be provided as file storage, block storage, or object storage.

[0154] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the network 3300 can be a storage-only network or a network dedicated to storage, such as a storage area network (SAN). For example, the SAN can be a Fibre Channel SAN (FC-SAN) implemented using a Fibre Channel (FC) network and according to the Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP). As another example, the SAN can be an Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) SAN (SCSI over TCP / IP or Internet SCSI) implemented using a Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) network and according to the iSCSI protocol. In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the network 3300 can be a general network such as a TCP / IP network. For example, the network 3300 can be implemented according to at least one of protocols such as Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), Network Attached Storage (NAS), or Non-Volatile Memory Express over Fabrics (NVMe-oF).

[0155] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the application server 3100 and the storage server 3200. The description of the application server 3100 can be applied to another application server 3100n, and the description of the storage server 3200 can be applied to another storage server 3200m.

[0156] The application server 3100 can store the data requested by a user or a client to be stored in one of the storage servers 3200 to 3200m via the network 3300. Additionally, the application server 3100 can obtain the data requested by a user or a client to be read from one of the storage servers 3200 to 3200m via the network 3300. For example, the application server 3100 can be implemented as a web server or a database management system (DBMS).

[0157] The application server 3100 can access the memory 3120n or the storage device 3150n included in another application server 3100n through the network 3300, and / or can access the memory 3220 to 3220m or the storage device 3250 to 3250m included in the storage servers 3200 to 3200m through the network 3300. Therefore, the application server 3100 can perform various operations on the data stored in the application servers 3100 to 3100n and / or the storage servers 3200 to 3200m. For example, the application server 3100 can execute commands to move or copy data between the application servers 3100 to 3100n and / or the storage servers 3200 to 3200m. The data can be directly transferred from the storage devices 3250 to 3250m of the storage servers 3200 to 3200m to or through the memories 3220 to 3220m of the storage servers 3200 to 3200m to the memories 3120 to 3120n of the application servers 3100 to 3100n. For example, for security or privacy reasons, the data transmitted through the network 3300 can be encrypted data.

[0158] In the storage server 3200, the interface 3254 can provide a physical connection between the processor 3210 and the controller 3251 and / or a physical connection between the network interface card (NIC) 3240 and the controller 3251. For example, the interface 3254 can be implemented based on a direct attached storage (DAS) scheme in which the storage device 3250 is directly connected to a dedicated cable. For example, the interface 3254 can be implemented based on at least one of various interface schemes such as: Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Serial ATA (SATA), External SATA (e-SATA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), Peripheral Component Interconnection (PCI), Express PCI (PCIe), NVMe, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1394, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Secure Digital (SD) card interface, Multimedia Card (MMC) interface, Embedded MMC (eMMC) interface, Universal Flash Storage (UFS) interface, Embedded UFS (eUFS) interface, Compact Flash (CF) card interface, etc.

[0159] The storage server 3200 may further include a switch 3230 and a NIC 3240. The switch 3230 may selectively connect the processor 3210 to the storage device 3250 under the control of the processor 3210, or may selectively connect the NIC 3240 to the storage device 3250. Similarly, the application server 3100 may further include a switch 3130 and a NIC 3140.

[0160] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the NIC 3240 may include a network interface card, a network adapter, or the like. The NIC 3240 may be connected to the network 3300 through a wired interface, a wireless interface, a Bluetooth interface, an optical interface, or a similar interface. The NIC 3240 may further include an internal memory, a digital signal processor (DSP), a host bus interface, or the like, and may be connected to the processor 3210 and / or the switch 3230 through the host bus interface. The host bus interface may be implemented as one of the above examples of the interface 3254. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the NIC 3240 may be integrated with at least one of the processor 3210, the switch 3230, and the storage device 3250.

[0161] In the storage servers 3200 to 3200m and / or the application servers 3100 to 3100n, the processor may transmit commands for formatting or reading data to the storage devices 3150 to 3150n and 3250 to 3250m or the memories 3120 to 3120n and 3220 to 3220m. For example, the data may be data that is error-corrected by an error correction code (ECC) engine. For example, the data may be processed by data bus inversion (DBI) or data masking (DM), and may include cyclic redundancy code (CRC) information. For example, for security or privacy reasons, the data may be encrypted data.

[0162] Storage devices 3150 to 3150m and 3250 to 3250m can transmit control signals and command / address signals to the counter and flash memory devices 3252 to 3252m (e.g., counter and flash memory devices) in response to read commands received from a processor (e.g., 3210). When reading data from the counter and flash memory devices 3252 to 3252m, a read enable (RE) signal can be input as a data output control signal and can be used to output data to a data queue (DQ) bus. A data strobe signal (DQS) can be generated using the RE signal. The command signal and the address signal can be latched in the page buffer based on the rising or falling edge of a write enable (WE) signal.

[0163] The controller 3251 can control the overall operation of the storage device 3250. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller 3251 can include a static random access memory (SRAM). The controller 3251 can write data into the counter and flash memory device 3252 in response to a write command, or can read data from the counter and flash memory device 3252 in response to a read command. For example, the write command and / or the read command can be provided from a processor 3210 in the storage server 3200, a processor 3210m in another storage server 3200m, or processors 3110 to 3110n in the application servers 3100 to 3100n. The DRAM 3253 can temporarily store (e.g., buffer) data to be written into the counter and flash memory device 3252 or data read from the counter and flash memory device 3252. In addition, the DRAM 3253 can store metadata. The metadata can be generated by the controller 3251 to manage user data or the data of the counter and flash memory device 3252. The storage device 3250 can include a charging voltage controller (CVC) 3255 and can be implemented to adaptively and / or real-time set and change the voltage level of the charging voltage and improve the lifespan and reliability of the secondary power supply.

[0164] The charging voltage controller 3255 can include the secondary power supply 110, the charging circuit 120, the monitoring circuit 130, the environmental sensor 140, and the voltage controller 150 in FIG. 2 and can execute a method of controlling the charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] The inventive concept can be applied to various electronic devices and systems including storage devices and storage systems. For example, the inventive concept can be applied to systems such as personal computers (PCs), server computers, data centers, workstations, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), digital cameras, portable game consoles, music players, camcorders, video players, navigation devices, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, e-book readers, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, robotic devices, drones, etc.

[0166] Although the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications can be made to the disclosed exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] By elaborating on the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other features of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electronic device that executes the method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are circuit diagrams showing examples of a secondary power supply included in the electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a main system included in the electronic device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a memory controller included in the main system shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a non-volatile memory included in the main system shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of controlling the charging voltage shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of determining whether the secondary power supply satisfies the energy condition in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operations shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of charging the secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme in FIG. 11. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining the operations shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operations shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A, and 19B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operations of an electronic device that executes the method of controlling a charging voltage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a data center including a storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a charging voltage, the method comprising: The first environmental information value is received from the environmental sensor; The voltage level of the charging voltage is set to a first voltage level in response to the first environmental information value; The secondary power supply, comprising at least one capacitor, is charged using the charging voltage having the first voltage level; a second environmental information value is received from the environmental sensor; and the voltage level of the charging voltage is selectively changed in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value. The secondary power supply is charged using a charging voltage having a selectively changed voltage level, wherein selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage includes: determining whether the secondary power supply meets a predetermined energy condition corresponding to a second environmental information value by: obtaining the current capacitance of the secondary power supply; and obtaining a desired energy change value based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and a second voltage level different from the first voltage level; changing the voltage level of the charging voltage to the second voltage level in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply meeting the predetermined energy condition; and maintaining the voltage level of the charging voltage at the first voltage level in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply not meeting the predetermined energy condition, wherein the second voltage level corresponds to the second environmental information value, wherein the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is determined by a monitoring circuit, and wherein charging the secondary power supply using the charging voltage having a selectively changed voltage level includes: In response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply meeting the predetermined energy condition, the secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage having the second voltage level; and in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply not meeting the predetermined energy condition, the secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage having the first voltage level.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein determining whether the secondary power source meets the predetermined energy condition includes: The predetermined energy value is compared with the expected change in energy value.

3. The method as described in request item 2, wherein: The predetermined energy condition is determined to be met when the predetermined energy value is less than the expected energy change value, and the predetermined energy condition is determined not to be met when the predetermined energy value is greater than or equal to the expected energy change value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage further comprises: After changing the voltage level of the charging voltage to the second voltage level, the second environmental information value is stored.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a time sensor, a space sensor, a lighting sensor, an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, a mechanical stress sensor, or an impact sensor.

6. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising: After charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level, the first environmental information value is stored.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the operations of receiving the second environmental information value, selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage, and charging the secondary power supply using the charging voltage having the selectively changed voltage level are performed periodically.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein operations of receiving the second environmental information value, selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage, and charging the secondary power supply with the charging voltage having the selectively changed voltage level are performed in response to an external command.

9. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising: The voltage level of the charging voltage is maintained in response to the second environmental information value being equal to the first environmental information value; And the secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage having the maintained voltage level.

10. A method for controlling a charging voltage, the method comprising: Determine the characteristics of at least one capacitor included in the secondary power supply; The secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage generated by executing a first control scheme in response to the first characteristic of the at least one capacitor, wherein the voltage level of the charging voltage is adjusted based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply. The secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage generated by executing a second control scheme in response to the second characteristic of the at least one capacitor. In the second control scheme, the voltage level of the charging voltage is adjusted based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and environmental information values ​​received from an environmental sensor. Charging the secondary power supply by executing the second control scheme includes: receiving a first environmental information value from the environmental sensor; setting the voltage level of the charging voltage to a first voltage level in response to the first environmental information value; charging the secondary power supply using the charging voltage having the first voltage level; receiving a second environmental information value from the environmental sensor; selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value; and charging the secondary power supply using the charging voltage having the selectively changed voltage level, wherein selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage includes: determining whether the secondary power supply meets a predetermined energy condition corresponding to the second environmental information value. Obtain the current capacitance of the secondary power supply; and obtain a desired energy change value based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and a second voltage level different from the first voltage level; change the voltage level of the charging voltage to the second voltage level in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply meeting the predetermined energy condition; and maintain the voltage level of the charging voltage at the first voltage level in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply not meeting the predetermined energy condition, wherein the second voltage level corresponds to the second environmental information value, wherein the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is determined by a monitoring circuit, and wherein charging the secondary power supply using the charging voltage having the selectively changed voltage level includes: In response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply meeting the predetermined energy condition, the secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage having the second voltage level; and in response to the second environmental information value being different from the first environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply not meeting the predetermined energy condition, the secondary power supply is charged using the charging voltage having the first voltage level.

11. The method as described in request item 10, wherein: The first characteristic indicates that the remaining lifetime of the at least one capacitor decreases rapidly as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, and the second characteristic indicates that the remaining lifetime of the at least one capacitor decreases slowly as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, or that the remaining lifetime of the at least one capacitor is independent of the voltage level of the charging voltage.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein charging the secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme comprises: The voltage level of the charging voltage is set to a third voltage level; the secondary power supply is charged based on the charging voltage having the third voltage level; the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is obtained by performing a monitoring operation; the voltage level of the charging voltage is changed to a fourth voltage level different from the third voltage level because the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is less than the first reference capacitance; And the secondary power supply is charged based on the charging voltage having the fourth voltage level.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fourth voltage level is higher than the third voltage level.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein charging the secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme further comprises: The charging voltage level is maintained at the third voltage level because the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is greater than or equal to the first reference capacitance.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein charging the secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme further comprises: After charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the fourth voltage level, the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is obtained by performing the monitoring operation; because the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is less than the second reference capacitance, the voltage level of the charging voltage is changed to a fifth voltage level, the second reference capacitance being different from the first reference capacitance, and the fifth voltage level being different from the third voltage level and the fourth voltage level; And the secondary power supply is charged based on the charging voltage having the fifth voltage level.

16. The method as described in request item 15, wherein: The fifth voltage level is higher than the third voltage level and the fourth voltage level, and the second reference capacitor is smaller than the first reference capacitor.

17. A method for controlling a charging voltage for charging a secondary power supply including at least one capacitor, the method comprising: Determine whether the at least one capacitor has a first characteristic or a second characteristic different from the first characteristic; The secondary power supply is charged by executing a first control scheme in response to the at least one capacitor having the first characteristic, wherein the voltage level of the charging voltage is adjusted based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply. And, in response to the at least one capacitor having the second characteristic, to charge the secondary power supply by executing a second control scheme, in which the voltage level of the charging voltage is adjusted based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and environmental information received from an environmental sensor, wherein the first characteristic indicates that the remaining lifetime of the at least one capacitor decreases rapidly as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, wherein the second characteristic indicates that the remaining lifetime of the at least one capacitor decreases slowly as the voltage level of the charging voltage increases, or the remaining lifetime of the at least one capacitor is independent of the voltage level of the charging voltage, wherein charging the secondary power supply by executing the first control scheme includes: setting the voltage level of the charging voltage to a first voltage level; charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the first voltage level; obtaining the current capacitance of the secondary power supply; The method involves: changing the voltage level of the charging voltage to a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level because the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is less than the first reference capacitance; charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the second voltage level; and charging the secondary power supply by executing the second control scheme, wherein charging the secondary power supply includes: receiving an initial environmental information value from the environmental sensor; setting the voltage level of the charging voltage to a third voltage level based on the initial environmental information value; charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the third voltage level; storing the initial environmental information value as a previous environmental information value; receiving a current environmental information value from the environmental sensor; selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage because the current environmental information value is different from the previous environmental information value; charging the secondary power supply based on the charging voltage having the selectively changed voltage level; and storing the current environmental information value as a new previous environmental information value, wherein selectively changing the voltage level of the charging voltage includes: determining whether the secondary power supply meets a predetermined energy condition corresponding to the current environmental information value. Obtain the current capacitance of the secondary power supply; and obtain a desired change energy value based on the current capacitance of the secondary power supply and a fourth voltage level different from the third voltage level; and change the voltage level of the charging voltage to the fourth voltage level in response to the current environmental information value being different from the previous environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply meeting the predetermined energy condition.And, in response to the current environmental information value being different from the previous environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply not meeting the predetermined energy condition, maintaining the charging voltage at the third voltage level, wherein the fourth voltage level corresponds to the current environmental information value, wherein the current capacitance of the secondary power supply is determined by a monitoring circuit, and wherein charging the secondary power supply with the charging voltage having the selectively changed voltage level includes: charging the secondary power supply with the charging voltage having the fourth voltage level in response to the current environmental information value being different from the previous environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply meeting the predetermined energy condition; and charging the secondary power supply with the charging voltage having the third voltage level in response to the current environmental information value being different from the previous environmental information value and in response to the secondary power supply not meeting the predetermined energy condition.

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