Nonvolatile Memory Charge Pump Early Hinting for Latency Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In nonvolatile memory systems, the frequent activation and deactivation of charge pumps for different access requests lead to system latency and power loss due to the need for varying voltage levels, which are not efficiently managed by existing charge pump mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that proactively activates charge pumps based on a threshold number of consecutive access requests of the same type, using an early hint command to optimize voltage generation and reduce unnecessary activation/deactivation cycles, thereby improving system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If charge pumps are activated and deactivated for each access request, then voltage levels can be adjusted for different operations, but system latency increases and power loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively activating charge pumps before a burst of consecutive access requests of the same type is detected. The controller analyzes incoming requests and triggers charge pump activation in advance, so that when the actual burst occurs, the voltage is already ready, eliminating the latency that would otherwise occur during the burst execution phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by keeping charge pumps activated throughout the duration of a detected burst of consecutive access requests. Instead of deactivating between individual requests, the charge pump remains active for the entire burst period, eliminating repeated activation/deactivation cycles and reducing both latency and power loss.
2Reliability
If charge pumps are activated for each access request, then voltage requirements are met, but power loss increases due to frequent activation/deactivation cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of incoming access requests to detect bursts of consecutive requests of the same type. By identifying these bursts in advance and proactively activating charge pumps before the burst begins, the system ensures reliable voltage supply is ready when needed while avoiding unnecessary activation/deactivation cycles that would waste energy.
Solution Approach 2:
During detected bursts of consecutive access requests, the charge pump maintains continuous activation rather than cycling on and off with each request. This continuous operation ensures reliable voltage supply throughout the burst while significantly reducing the energy loss associated with repeated activation and deactivation events.
3Adaptability or versatility
If charge pump output voltage is readjusted for consecutive access requests of different types, then operation requirements are satisfied, but system latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of the access request queue to detect bursts of consecutive requests of the same type. By proactively activating charge pumps with the appropriate voltage before the burst begins, the system prepares the correct voltage configuration in advance, allowing the burst to execute without intermediate voltage adjustments and thus maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
When a burst of consecutive access requests of the same type is detected, the charge pump maintains continuous operation with a single voltage configuration throughout the entire burst. This eliminates the need to readjust voltage between individual requests within the burst, reducing latency and improving system throughput while still satisfying the specific voltage requirements of the operation type.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing early hinting to nonvolatile memory charge pumps are disclosed. Charge pumps associated with one or more nonvolatile memory dies can be proactively activated based on a determination that a command queue of access requests contains at least a threshold number of consecutive access requests of the same type. Based on analysis of the command queue, the memory controller can transmit an early hint command to a nonvolatile memory die to proactively activate its charge pump to provide a voltage suitable for executing the consecutive access requests of the same type.