Buffer Interface for High-Speed Host to Wide DRAM Memory Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in achieving higher capacity, speed, and reduced cost for main memory, particularly in efficiently interfacing with multiple memory devices and managing data transfer rates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a buffer interface, such as a buffer die, that operates between a host interface and multiple memory interfaces, allowing for data reallocation to enable wider and slower memory interfaces compared to the host interface, thereby optimizing data transfer and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a buffer interface is implemented between host interface and multiple memory interfaces, then data transfer reliability and capacity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer interface is introduced as an intermediary component between the host interface and multiple memory interfaces. The buffer receives data from the host interface, performs reallocation and buffering operations, and then distributes data to multiple memory interfaces. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing complex operations in the buffer, thereby improving reliability through controlled data flow while managing complexity through a dedicated intermediate component rather than distributed complexity across multiple direct connections.
2Ease of manufacture
If memory interfaces are made wider and operate at slower data rates, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but speed performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer interface employs periodic action by operating at different data rates for different interfaces. The host interface operates at a higher data rate, while the memory interfaces operate at slower, standardized data rates. The buffer performs periodic data transfer operations, accumulating data from the fast host interface and distributing it to multiple slower memory interfaces in controlled cycles. This resolves the contradiction by allowing cost-effective slower memory interfaces while maintaining overall system speed through the buffer's rate-matching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer interface changes operational parameters by adapting data rates and interface widths dynamically. It receives high-speed data from the host interface and transforms it into multiple lower-speed streams for memory interfaces. This parameter transformation allows the system to use cheaper, slower memory interfaces while maintaining high overall throughput through the buffer's rate conversion capability, effectively resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and speed performance.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple memory devices are interfaced through a buffer, then capacity is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer interface merges multiple memory device connections into a unified interface structure. Instead of requiring separate host interface connections for each memory device, the buffer consolidates multiple memory interfaces behind a single host interface connection. This merging approach increases total memory capacity by enabling connection to multiple devices while managing complexity through centralization - the buffer handles the complexity of managing multiple devices, allowing the host interface to remain simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. Example memory devices, systems and methods include a buffer interface to translate high speed data interactions on a host interface side into slower, wider data interactions on a DRAM interface side. The slower, and wider DRAM interface may be configured to substantially match the capacity of the narrower, higher speed host interface. In some examples, the buffer interface may be configured to provide multiple sub-channel interfaces each coupled to one or more regions within the memory structure and configured to facilitate data recovery in the event of a failure of some portion of the memory structure. Selected example memory devices, systems and methods include an individual DRAM die, or one or more stacks of DRAM dies coupled to a buffer die.