DRAM Self-Initialization Using Stored Access Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DRAM initialization methods rely on external controllers like CPUs, leading to high latency, bandwidth consumption, and power usage due to large data transfers, necessitating more efficient approaches.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with a memory controller, non-volatile memory, and preloader that flushes and corrects access parameters within the device, reducing initialization time by releasing CPU resources and utilizing an additional processor for calibration and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If external controller (CPU) performs initialization operations, then initialization can be performed, but large amounts of data must be communicated back and forth consuming high bandwidth and power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the initialization function from the external CPU controller and relocates it to an internal processor within the memory device. This allows the memory device to perform self-initialization using stored access parameters, eliminating the need for large data transfers between CPU and memory, thereby significantly reducing power consumption and initialization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device performs self-initialization by using access parameters that are pre-stored in its internal storage device. The internal processor reads these parameters and configures the memory array without requiring continuous external control or data transfer, enabling the system to serve itself during initialization and reducing overall power consumption.
2Productivity
If external controller (CPU) performs initialization operations, then initialization can be performed, but initialization causes high latency as large amounts of data are transferred over the memory bus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the initialization function from the external CPU controller and relocates it to an internal processor within the memory device. This allows the memory device to perform self-initialization using stored access parameters, eliminating the need for large data transfers between CPU and memory, thereby significantly reducing power consumption and initialization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The access parameters are pre-stored in the memory device's internal storage device before initialization is needed. When initialization occurs, the internal processor simply reads these pre-prepared parameters rather than receiving them through time-consuming external data transfers, thereby reducing initialization latency.
3Loss of time
If access parameters are flushed to storage device and corrected, then initialization time is reduced, but additional processor resources are required for calibration and correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the initialization function from the external CPU controller and relocates it to an internal processor within the memory device. This allows the memory device to perform self-initialization using stored access parameters, eliminating the need for large data transfers between CPU and memory, thereby significantly reducing power consumption and initialization time.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided herein, which includes a memory device. The memory device includes a memory array, a storage device, and a memory controller. The storage device stores access parameters corresponding to a plurality of access modes. The memory controller accesses the memory array with the access parameters corresponding to one of the access modes. When the memory device is booted up, the memory controller flushes the access parameters corresponding to each of the access modes to the storage device.