Fast-Wake Memory Control for Low Latency Power Transitions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed signaling interfaces in memory systems face significant latency penalties when transitioning from a low-power state, particularly in mobile applications where frequent power-state changes are necessary, leading to increased memory access latency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'fast-wake' mode that allows memory access commands to be transmitted using alternative, lower-frequency timing signals during the power-up phase, concurrent with the restoration of high-speed signaling resources, thereby reducing the latency associated with exiting a low-power state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If high-speed signaling interfaces are switched to low-power state during idle periods, then power consumption is reduced, but memory access latency increases significantly when exiting the low-power state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting memory access commands during the power-up phase concurrent with restoration of high-speed signaling resources. The command transmission is prepared and initiated before peak-rate signaling is fully restored, using alternative lower-frequency timing signals during the transition period. This overlapping execution of command transmission and resource restoration eliminates the sequential delay that would otherwise occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using alternative timing signals with different frequencies depending on the operational state. During power-up from low-power state, lower-frequency timing signals are used to clock command transmission. Once high-speed signaling resources are restored, the system dynamically switches to higher-frequency timing signals for normal operation. This dynamic adaptation of timing signal frequency optimizes both power efficiency and transmission speed.
2Reliability
If high-speed signaling resources are restored before transmitting memory access commands, then reliable high-speed communication is ensured, but the wake-up latency is increased due to sequential operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initiating command transmission during the power-up phase before high-speed signaling resources are fully restored. The system prepares and transmits commands using alternative timing signals concurrently with the restoration process, rather than waiting for complete restoration. This approach maintains communication reliability while eliminating the sequential delay between resource restoration and command transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining command transmission operations throughout the power-up phase. Instead of halting command transmission until high-speed resources are restored, the system continuously transmits commands using alternative timing signals during the transition period. This continuous operation ensures that useful work (command transmission) proceeds without interruption, reducing overall wake-up latency while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory controller is transitioned to a low-power mode in which an active-mode resource required to transmit memory access commands to a memory device at a first command-signaling frequency is disabled. The memory controller transmits a first memory access command to the memory device using an alternative signaling resource during a transitional interval in which the active-mode resource is re-enabled.