Temperature-Based DRAM Refresh Grouping for Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Volatile memory devices, such as DRAM, face increased power consumption and reduced system performance due to frequent refresh operations necessitated by temperature variations among devices within a module, as they are refreshed uniformly without considering individual temperature differences.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjusts the refresh rate of volatile memory devices based on temperature information, grouping devices by temperature ranges and applying specific refresh commands to optimize power consumption and performance by varying the number of rows refreshed and refresh intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refresh period is shortened to maintain data integrity at higher temperatures, then data reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating refresh operations based on the specific temperature conditions of individual memory devices or regions within the memory module. Instead of uniformly refreshing all devices at the same rate, the system adjusts refresh parameters locally according to each device's temperature characteristics, thereby maintaining data integrity where needed while reducing unnecessary refresh operations in cooler regions, thus lowering overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the refresh period adaptive rather than fixed. The refresh period is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature monitoring of memory devices. When temperature increases, the refresh period is shortened to maintain data integrity; when temperature decreases, the refresh period is extended or refresh operations are reduced, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption under varying thermal conditions.
2Reliability
If refresh operations are performed frequently to maintain data integrity, then reliability is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to reduced time for host write/read operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different refresh strategies for different memory devices or banks based on their individual temperature conditions. Devices operating at lower temperatures can use longer refresh periods or fewer refresh operations, thereby freeing up more time for host write/read operations and improving overall system performance, while still maintaining data integrity for devices that require more frequent refreshes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting the refresh schedule based on temperature conditions. The system monitors temperature and adaptively modifies refresh timing and frequency, allowing the memory subsystem to optimize the balance between maintaining data integrity and providing sufficient bandwidth for host operations under varying thermal conditions.
3Ease of operation
If all DRAM devices in a module are refreshed uniformly, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary refresh operations on cooler devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform refresh operations to differentiated refresh strategies based on the temperature characteristics of individual memory devices or regions. The system monitors temperature locally and adjusts refresh parameters accordingly, applying more aggressive refresh only where thermal conditions require it, thereby eliminating unnecessary refresh operations on cooler devices and reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the memory module into distinct groups or regions based on temperature characteristics. Each segment can then be managed with appropriate refresh parameters tailored to its thermal conditions, allowing the system to maintain data integrity in hot regions while reducing refresh operations in cooler regions, thereby optimizing power consumption across the entire module.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an operating method of a storage device. The method includes providing temperature information of each of a plurality of volatile memory devices in the storage device to a host device; and receiving a setting command related to a refresh operation of the plurality of volatile memory devices from the host device, wherein the plurality of volatile memory devices are classified into groups based on temperature information, and wherein the setting command indicates a number of rows of the plurality of volatile memory devices to be refreshed differently for each of the groups based on the temperature information.