FIFO Buffer Flush Timing for Scalable Data Path Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flash memory data path architectures face scalability issues due to inability to accommodate variation in clock signal delay differences across different generations, leading to increased clock jitter and short circuit currents, requiring modifications to hardware components like FIFO depth and delay stages.
Innovation Solution
A data path architecture that allows the FIFO to immediately flush data, including potentially invalid initial bytes, upon receipt of the high-speed clock signal, and compensates for delay differences at the controller level by adjusting RE latency, eliminating the need for hardware modifications to accommodate varying clock signal delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware modifications are made to accommodate varying clock signal delays (e.g., changing FIFO depth and delay stages), then clock signal delay differences can be compensated, but device complexity increases and scalability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware-based delay compensation system (FIFO depth adjustment, delay stages) with a software/firmware-based solution. The controller executes instructions to measure clock signal delays and dynamically adjust timing parameters through software, eliminating the need for physical hardware modifications across different product generations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the timing compensation mechanism. Instead of fixed hardware configurations, the system dynamically measures actual clock signal delays and adjusts FIFO operation and read enable latency in real-time based on measured conditions, allowing adaptation without hardware changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If FIFO depth and delay stages are modified to compensate for clock signal delays, then timing accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware-based delay compensation system (FIFO depth adjustment, delay stages) with a software/firmware-based solution. The controller executes instructions to measure clock signal delays and dynamically adjust timing parameters through software, eliminating the need for physical hardware modifications across different product generations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from modifying physical hardware parameters (FIFO depth, delay stage count) to adjusting operational parameters through software control. The system measures actual delays and modifies timing parameters like read enable latency and FIFO flush timing dynamically, avoiding manufacturing complexity while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hardware components are modified across different product generations, then adaptability to different clock delays improves, but scalability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal timing compensation mechanism that functions across all product generations without modification. The controller executes the same delay measurement and compensation instructions regardless of the specific hardware generation, making the system universally adaptable while maintaining consistent architecture and scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware-based delay compensation system (FIFO depth adjustment, delay stages) with a software/firmware-based solution. The controller executes instructions to measure clock signal delays and dynamically adjust timing parameters through software, eliminating the need for physical hardware modifications across different product generations.
4Reliability
If delay stages are added to the high-speed clock signal path, then clock signal synchronization improves, but clock jitter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical delay stages in the high-speed clock signal path with a software-based timing adjustment mechanism. The controller measures delays and compensates through software-controlled FIFO operations and read enable timing, eliminating the need for physical delay stages that introduce jitter while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A data path architecture and corresponding method of operation are disclosed that permit a first-in-first out (FIFO) buffer to immediately flush data—including potentially invalid initial byte(s)—upon receipt of a high-speed clock signal, and according to which, a delay difference between a data path clock signal and a high-speed clock signal is compensated for at a controller side by, for example, adjusting RE latency to discard/ignore the initially invalid bytes rather than by modifying FIFO depth or varying a number of delay stages in the high-speed clock signal path in order to satisfy the FIFO depth. Because FIFO depth is not used to absorb the clock signal delay difference, there is no need to modify the architecture (e.g., change the depth of a FIFO) to accommodate variation in the clock signal delay difference across different products/product generations, thereby providing high scalability.