Adjustable Timer Component for Multi-Type Memory Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems lack flexibility in managing active timer entries for diverse types of memory devices with varying timing characteristics, leading to inefficiencies and potential thermal issues due to multiple controller architectures.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable timer component integrated into a memory controller that creates and monitors active timer entries for multiple types of memory devices, accommodating different timing requirements and reducing the need for multiple controllers, thereby optimizing space usage and mitigating thermal dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controller architectures are used to manage different memory types, then memory device compatibility is improved, but device complexity and space usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The timer component is designed to be universal, capable of managing timer entries for multiple types of memory devices (DRAM, SRAM, flash, etc.) through a single integrated architecture. The component can accommodate different timing characteristics by adjusting timer values and thresholds, eliminating the need for separate controller architectures for each memory type while maintaining compatibility across diverse memory devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the timer management functionality into a single integrated timer component within the memory controller, combining what would traditionally require multiple separate controller architectures into one unified structure. This consolidation reduces device complexity and space usage while preserving the ability to manage various memory device types through shared resources and configurable parameters
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controller architectures are implemented, then support for diverse memory types is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The timer component serves multiple functions by managing timer entries for different memory device types through a single architecture. It can configure different timer values, thresholds, and monitoring parameters to accommodate DRAM, SRAM, flash, and other memory types, thereby supporting diverse memory types without requiring proportional increases in controller space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent consolidates multiple controller architectures into a single integrated timer component that shares common resources such as address detection logic, timer counters, and control circuits. This merging approach maintains the ability to support diverse memory types while significantly reducing the overall space required in the controller compared to having separate dedicated controllers for each memory type
3Manufacturing precision
If timer entries are monitored for all memory operations, then command execution accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timer component monitors timer entries selectively based on memory device type and operational context rather than uniformly for all operations. It uses configurable thresholds and priorities to determine which timer entries require active monitoring and which can be handled with simpler mechanisms, thereby maintaining command execution accuracy for critical operations while reducing processing overhead for less time-sensitive memory operations
Solution Approach 2:
The timer management system dynamically adjusts its monitoring intensity and response behavior based on the current memory device type, command type, and system state. The component can switch between different monitoring modes and timing strategies to optimize between accuracy and processing time, rather than using a fixed one-size-fits-all approach
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to an adjustable timer component are described. A memory device includes, a memory controller coupled to the memory device comprising an adjustable timer component. The adjustable timer component is configured to receive a timer generation request and, responsive to receiving the request, store in a cache an active timer entry corresponding to a particular first address, generate a timer corresponding to an active timer entry and the particular first address, and monitor the timer to determine when the timer expires. Responsive to the expiration of the timer, dequeue the timer entry and invalidate the timer entry stored in the cache. The memory device can also include command logic configured to, prior to issuing a second command, query the cache of the adjustable timer component to determine if the cache includes an active timer entry corresponding to the particular second address.