Buffer Memory Refresh Command Deconcentration in Semiconductor Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory devices with 3D stack structures face challenges in managing refresh commands across multiple independent channels, leading to peak noise and degradation of thermal and core characteristics due to concentrated refresh operations.
Innovation Solution
A buffer memory system that deconcentrates refresh commands by selectively skipping or delaying their transmission based on the number of commands received during a specific period, using a refresh control determining circuit to generate count values and compare them with a threshold to determine whether to deconcentrate refresh commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refresh commands are transmitted to all channels simultaneously, then memory refresh coverage is improved, but peak noise and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic refresh commands with variable timing intervals. The buffer memory transmits refresh commands to different channels at staggered time periods rather than simultaneously, creating a periodic action pattern that distributes the refresh load over time. This reduces peak noise while ensuring all channels receive adequate refresh coverage through the periodic repetition of refresh operations across the channel group.
2Reliability
If refresh commands are transmitted to all channels simultaneously, then memory refresh coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer memory employs periodic refresh command transmission with staggered timing across channels. By distributing refresh operations over multiple time periods rather than executing them simultaneously, the power consumption is smoothed out避免了集中式的功耗峰值，同时通过周期性的重复确保所有通道都能获得充分的刷新覆盖。
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the refresh command transmission by channel group. The buffer memory divides channels into multiple groups and transmits refresh commands to different groups at different time periods. This segmentation approach allows the system to maintain comprehensive refresh coverage while reducing instantaneous power consumption by not activating all channels simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If refresh commands are concentrated in specific channels, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal characteristics and reliability degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic refresh command transmission with staggered timing to distribute thermal load across channels. By rotating through different channel groups in periodic intervals, the system maintains relatively uniform thermal characteristics across all channels while avoiding the complexity of sophisticated thermal management circuits. The periodic nature ensures no single channel group is continuously overloaded.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If refresh commands are deconcentrated across time periods, then peak noise is reduced, but command transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer memory implements periodic refresh command transmission that balances noise reduction with time efficiency. By organizing refresh commands into periodic cycles across channel groups, the system reduces peak noise through temporal distribution while maintaining overall time efficiency through parallel processing within each period. The periodic structure allows predictable timing that optimizes the trade-off between noise reduction and transmission time.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device includes a buffer memory configured to receive commands from a memory controller via first to Nth channels, wherein N denotes an integer which is equal to or greater than ‘2’; and first to Nth core memories each connected to the buffer memory via one of the first to Nth channels. The buffer memory may deconcentrate refresh commands corresponding to the first to Nth core memories, based on a number of commands input during a specific time.