Charge Pump Coordination in Multi-Die Memory Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices with multiple charge pumps lack efficient inter-die communication and coordination, leading to suboptimal operation and increased area requirements due to independent pump operations in each memory die.
Innovation Solution
A memory device architecture where charge pumps and pump control circuits across different memory dies are coupled through shared pump and control lines, allowing a first memory die to initiate a pump operation and send an operation alarm signal, enabling other dies to perform pump operations in response, thus reducing area usage by sharing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charge pumps operate independently in each memory die, then each die can perform operations autonomously, but the area requirement increases and coordination efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charge pump control functionality across multiple memory dies by coupling charge pumps through shared pump lines and control circuits through shared control lines. This allows multiple dies to share the same charge pump resources, reducing redundant area while maintaining autonomous operation capability through the alarm signal mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling charge pumps in different memory dies to serve multiple purposes: they can operate independently when needed and share resources when coordination is beneficial. The alarm signal mechanism allows a charge pump in one die to trigger operations in charge pumps of other dies, creating a universal control system.
2Area of stationary object
If charge pumps are shared across memory dies through coupling, then area requirements are reduced, but inter-die communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through alarm signals that flow from one memory die to another through shared control lines. When a charge pump in one die needs operation, it generates an alarm signal that is received by other dies, which then activate their charge pumps accordingly. This feedback loop simplifies the control logic compared to complex inter-die communication protocols.
3Power
If all memory dies perform pump operations simultaneously, then voltage generation capacity is maximized, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation where charge pumps across multiple dies can be activated or deactivated based on actual demand. Through the alarm signal mechanism, only the necessary number of charge pumps are operated at any given time, rather than all charge pumps running continuously. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between voltage generation capacity and current consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a memory device for driving charge pumps respectively included in memory dies. The memory device includes a first memory die including a first charge pump and a first pump control circuit, and a second memory die including a second charge pump coupled to the first charge pump through a pump line and a second pump control circuit coupled to the first pump control circuit through a control line. The first pump control circuit is configured to control the first charge pump to perform a pump operation of generating a pump voltage in response to a command received by the first memory die, and output an operation alarm signal through the control line, and the second pump control circuit is configured to control the second charge pump to perform the pump operation in response to the operation alarm signal.