DRAM Voltage System Regulator Control for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DRAM voltage systems inefficiently manage power usage by enabling regulators even when operation currents are not required, leading to unnecessary bias voltage and current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A voltage system with a control device that determines the required number of regulators based on operation modes, enabling only the necessary regulators to provide the operation current, thereby disabling unnecessary regulators and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If regulators are enabled to provide operation current to the DRAM bank, then the DRAM can operate under various modes, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary bias voltage and current in modes where operation current is not required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the regulator configuration adaptable and changeable based on operating conditions. The control device dynamically determines whether to enable or disable regulators based on the received operation mode, allowing the system to transition between different power states. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling regulators only when necessary (improving power efficiency) while maintaining the capability to support multiple operation modes (preserving adaptability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the regulators based on the operation mode. When the operation mode indicates that operation current is not required, the control device disables the regulators, effectively changing their operational state from active to inactive. This parameter change (enabled/disabled state) allows the system to reduce power consumption while still maintaining the ability to support various operation modes when needed.
2Power
If multiple regulators are enabled to provide sufficient current, then the current requirement is met, but unnecessary regulators consume power even when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by enabling only the necessary number of regulators based on the operation mode, rather than enabling all regulators unconditionally. The control device determines the appropriate level of regulator activation required for the current operation mode, avoiding excessive action (enabling more regulators than needed) while ensuring sufficient current provision. This resolves the contradiction by matching regulator activation to actual current requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the operation mode indication to control regulator activation. The control device receives information about the required operation mode and uses this feedback to determine whether to enable or disable regulators. This feedback mechanism ensures that regulators are activated only when the operation mode requires operation current, eliminating unnecessary power consumption while maintaining adequate current provision capability.
3Reliability
If regulators are always enabled to ensure current availability, then current supply is guaranteed, but power efficiency decreases due to continuous bias voltage and current consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the regulator state dynamic rather than static. Instead of always enabling regulators, the control device adjusts their enabled/disabled state based on the operation mode. This dynamic approach maintains current supply reliability when needed (by enabling regulators) while reducing power consumption when operation current is not required (by disabling regulators), thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the regulators from a fixed enabled state to a variable state based on operation mode. The control device modifies the regulator parameters (enabled/disabled) according to the received operation mode, ensuring current supply reliability when the mode requires it while eliminating unnecessary bias voltage and current consumption when the mode does not require operation current.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a voltage system of a DRAM and a method for operating the same. The voltage system includes a first regulator, a second regulator and a control device. The control device determines the amount of regulators required based on an operation mode which the DRAM is instructed to operate under, and, based on the determination, enables one or more regulators between the first regulator and the second regulator and disables the remaining regulators. The amount of the one or more enabled regulators is equal to the determined amount of regulators required. The one or more enabled regulators provide a current which serves as an operation current of a bank of the DRAM.