Common Memory Die for Variable Bandwidth Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current memory devices require separate designs and increased production costs due to the need for different implementations with varying data bus bandwidths, limiting their versatility and efficiency in both power management and capacity across different applications.

Innovation Solution

A memory device that supports both full-bandwidth and narrower bandwidth implementations by dynamically adjusting data transfer through burst length manipulation, allowing a common memory die to interface with different system data buses, thereby increasing system capacity and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate memory device designs are used for different data bus bandwidth implementations, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different data bus bandwidth implementationsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device is designed with a common die that can operate in multiple bandwidth modes (e.g., x32, x16, x8) by dynamically adjusting the data bus interface width. This universal design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability across different application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If wider data bus interfaces are used in low power memory devices, then power efficiency is improved, but memory capacity per channel decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidmemory capacity per channel
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device dynamically adjusts its data bus interface width based on system requirements. The device can switch between wider interfaces (x32) for power-efficient operations and narrower interfaces (x16, x8) for higher capacity requirements, allowing flexible optimization of both power efficiency and memory capacity per channel without being constrained to a fixed interface width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If narrower data bus interfaces are used to increase memory capacity per channel, then memory capacity is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory capacity per channelVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device dynamically adjusts its data bus interface width based on system requirements. The device can switch between wider interfaces (x32) for power-efficient operations and narrower interfaces (x16, x8) for higher capacity requirements, allowing flexible optimization of both power efficiency and memory capacity per channel without being constrained to a fixed interface width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different memory die are produced for varying implementations, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but manufacturing costs and production efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different applicationsVSAvoidmanufacturing costs and production efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device is designed with a common die that can operate in multiple bandwidth modes (e.g., x32, x16, x8) by dynamically adjusting the data bus interface width. This universal design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability across different application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3198457B1Common die implementation for low power memory devices
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 INTEL CORP
  • EP3198457B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3198457B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3198457B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A memory device and a memory controller can interface over a system data bus that has a narrower bandwidth than a data bus internal to the memory device. The memory device and memory controller transfer data over the system data bus on all transfer periods of a burst length, but send fewer bits than would be needed for the exchange to transfer all bits that can be read or written on the internal data bus of the memory device. The memory device can have different operating modes to allow for a common memory device to be used in different system configurations based on the ability to interface with the narrower bandwidth system data bus.