Controllable I/O Terminals for Digital Memory Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital memory devices consume significant power during input/output operations, particularly due to constant dynamic power consumption in toggling bit values, with existing methods only addressing reading operations and not providing solutions for writing or reducing power when a minority of data bits are changed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of controllable I/O terminals with detectors and clock toggle switches that conditionally enable or disable I/O drivers based on comparisons of previous and current digital values, reducing power consumption by shutting off drivers when values remain the same and maintaining power when values differ.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If I/O drivers are constantly enabled to ensure data transmission, then data transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the I/O driver enablement state variable rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts driver enablement based on real-time comparison between current and previous digital values, transitioning between enabled and disabled states to optimize the trade-off between reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a detection mechanism that continuously monitors current digital values and compares them with previous values. This feedback loop determines whether I/O drivers should remain enabled or be disabled, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to actual data transmission needs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If I/O drivers are disabled to save power when data values remain the same, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmission capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by comparing current digital values with previous values before determining driver enablement status. This proactive approach identifies opportunities to disable drivers before unnecessary power consumption occurs, while ensuring transmission capability is maintained when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automatic detection and comparison of digital values, eliminating the need for external control signals to manage driver enablement. The I/O subsystem autonomously determines its own power state based on actual data transmission requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If data inversion is used to reduce the number of changed bits, then power consumption is reduced for majority changes, but complexity increases and it does not address minority changes or writing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power optimization logic from complex data inversion schemes and implements a simpler comparison-based approach. By separating the detection function from the driver control, the system achieves power savings without requiring data inversion or inversion bit management, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from data value inversion to driver enablement state. Instead of modifying the data being transmitted, the system modifies the operational state of the I/O drivers based on detected value changes, achieving power optimization through a different controllable parameter.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for controlling an input/output (I/O) driver of an I/O terminal based at least in part on the values being provided to the I/O terminal is disclosed. In various embodiments, a detector is employed. The detector shuts off power to the I/O driver if the digital value being presented is the same as a previously presented digital value.