Dual Memory Region Refresh Control for Power Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data storage technologies require frequent refresh operations to retain data beyond a predetermined period, leading to unnecessary power consumption when valid data is not needed for processing, and existing solutions lack efficient management of varying refresh frequencies across memory regions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a dual-memory region system where one region performs refresh operations at a lower frequency than the minimum required when valid data is stored, and the other region performs refresh operations at or above the minimum frequency, with separate memory channels for each region to manage different refresh frequencies, and additional circuitry to migrate data in response to events like exceptions or context switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If refresh operation is performed at minimum refresh frequency for all memory regions, then data retention is ensured, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retentionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The memory is divided into multiple memory regions (first memory region and second memory region) that can be managed independently. Each region can have its refresh operation controlled at different frequencies based on data retention requirements, allowing selective power consumption rather than uniform refresh across all memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different memory regions are assigned different refresh frequencies based on their specific data retention needs. The first memory region uses lower refresh frequency when valid data is stored, while the second memory region uses minimum or higher refresh frequency when valid data is stored, optimizing power consumption for each local region according to its requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate memory channels are used for different memory regions, then varying refresh frequencies can be managed efficiently, but hardware complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefresh frequency managementVSAvoidhardware structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory controller is divided into separate channels (first memory channel and second memory channel) that independently manage different memory regions. This segmentation allows each channel to control refresh operations at different frequencies for its respective memory region without interfering with the other, enabling flexible refresh frequency management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If data is stored in first memory region without frequent refresh, then power consumption is reduced, but data may be lost if not retained beyond predetermined period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The refresh frequency for the first memory region is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adapts the refresh frequency based on whether valid data is currently stored in the region and the predetermined retention period requirements. When valid data is stored and retention is not required beyond the predetermined period, lower refresh frequency is used to save power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The refresh frequency parameter is changed based on data retention requirements. The system transitions between different refresh frequency states (lower frequency when valid data is stored with no long-term retention need, higher frequency when minimum refresh is required) to optimize the balance between power consumption and data retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10847204B2Control of refresh operation for first memory region at first frequency and for second memory region at second frequency

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 ARM LTD

AI summary

An apparatus comprises first and second memory regions each to store data using a data storage technology for which retention of data for longer than a predetermined period of time is dependent on a refresh operation for refreshing data in the memory region being performed at a frequency that is greater than or equal to a minimum refresh frequency. The apparatus further comprises at least one controller to control storage of data in the first memory region with the refresh operation performed at a first frequency lower than said minimum refresh frequency when valid data is stored in the first memory region, and to control storage of data in the second memory region with the refresh operation performed at a second frequency that is greater than or equal to said minimum refresh frequency. The at least one controller is configured to communicate with the first memory region via a first memory channel and with the second memory region via a second memory channel.