Charge Pump Frequency Modulation for Memory Word Line Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous charge pump operation in memory systems leads to excessive power consumption due to the need to maintain boosted word line voltages, which is inefficient for read functions and other operations.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic feedback control circuit and clock generator system that modulates the clock signal frequency to the charge pump based on the word line voltage level, enabling efficient voltage maintenance by disabling the charge pump when the voltage is above a threshold, and increasing frequency when it drops below the threshold to maintain the required voltage level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous charge pump operation is used to sustain boosted word line voltage, then the voltage level is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump operates periodically rather than continuously. A controller monitors the word line voltage and activates the charge pump only when the voltage drops below a threshold level, then deactivates it when the voltage is restored. This periodic operation maintains voltage stability while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control mechanism is implemented where the controller continuously monitors the word line voltage level and adjusts the charge pump operation accordingly. When the voltage falls below the threshold, the controller activates the charge pump; when the voltage is restored above the threshold, the controller deactivates the charge pump. This closed-loop feedback ensures voltage reliability while minimizing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If charge pump is disabled to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency improves, but voltage maintenance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump is activated periodically based on voltage threshold monitoring rather than operating continuously. This allows the system to achieve power efficiency by keeping the charge pump disabled most of the time, while maintaining voltage reliability by activating it periodically when needed to restore the word line voltage to the required level.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control mechanism ensures that the charge pump is only activated when the word line voltage drops below the threshold, preventing unnecessary power consumption. The controller continuously monitors voltage levels and provides timely activation signals to maintain voltage stability, resolving the conflict between power efficiency and voltage maintenance capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory includes a word line having a word line voltage, a charge pump coupled to the word line, and a dynamic feedback control circuit coupled to the charge pump. The dynamic feedback control circuit is capable of changing a clock frequency of a clock signal supplied the charge pump from a first non-zero value to a second non-zero value depending on the difference between the word line voltage and a target threshold voltage.