Address Bus Encoding With Gray Code for Lower Memory Access Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sequential access of memory addresses in electronic systems leads to increased power consumption due to frequent toggling of address bits, which is not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an intermediate component that encodes address bits using a reduced Hamming distance binary code format, such as RBC, to minimize bit changes during transitions, and provides bypass or decoding mechanisms for incompatible targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional binary addressing is used for sequential memory access, then address transitions can be straightforward, but power consumption increases due to multiple bit toggles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the address representation from standard binary to Gray code, where consecutive addresses differ by only one bit. This parameter transformation (change in coding scheme) reduces the number of bit transitions during sequential access, directly lowering power consumption while maintaining the same addressing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate encoding layer (Gray code converter) between the address generator and the memory address bus. This intermediary component translates standard binary addresses into Gray code addresses, allowing the system to benefit from reduced bit toggling without requiring changes to the fundamental binary addressing architecture
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple bits are toggled during address transitions, then complete address coverage is achieved, but cross-talk and electromagnetic noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the address encoding parameter from binary to Gray code, the patent reduces the number of simultaneous bit transitions during address changes. This parameter change minimizes the occurrence of multiple bits toggling at once, thereby reducing cross-talk and electromagnetic noise while maintaining reliable address transitions through the inherent error-detecting properties of Gray code
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate component can be provided between initiator components (from which access requests are originated) and target components (that are to be accessed via the access requests). The intermediate component can encode, decode, and/or bypass the encoding process of address bits to ensure that address bits of the access requests are in a format that is compatible with access of the respective target component.