FIFO Memory Power Gating Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the capacity of first-in first-out (FIFO) memory devices increases to handle larger data, so does their power consumption, necessitating a solution to reduce power usage without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a FIFO memory device comprising a main FIFO unit, an auxiliary FIFO unit, and a control unit that dynamically switches between these units based on operating modes to optimize data storage and retrieval, utilizing a dual-port memory and power gating/clock gating to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the capacity of FIFO memory device is increased to handle larger data, then the data handling capability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The FIFO memory device is divided into multiple sub-FIFO units (first sub-FIFO unit, second sub-FIFO unit, third sub-FIFO unit, fourth sub-FIFO unit), each with its own memory bank. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary sub-FIFO units based on operational mode, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining large capacity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes (first mode, second mode, third mode, fourth mode) depending on the data handling requirements. In modes requiring full capacity, all sub-FIFO units are activated; in modes requiring lower power, fewer sub-FIFO units are activated. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between capacity and power consumption.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple memory banks are used to increase capacity, then the data storage capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sub-FIFO unit can operate independently or in combination with others, serving multiple functions across different operational modes. The same memory structure is reused four times across different banks, reducing design complexity compared to creating entirely separate memory systems for each capacity level.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sub-FIFO units can be activated based on local operational requirements. The control logic selectively enables specific memory banks based on the current mode, allowing the system to manage complexity by activating only the necessary local resources rather than managing all resources simultaneously.
3Use of energy by moving object
If power gating and clock gating are applied to reduce power consumption, then the power efficiency is improved, but the operational speed may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
Clock gating is applied periodically to sub-FIFO units based on operational mode. When a sub-FIFO unit is not currently needed for data operations, its clock is gated off to save power. When needed, the clock is restored, allowing the unit to resume operations quickly. This periodic activation maintains speed when required while reducing power consumption during idle periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A first-in first-out (FIFO) memory device includes a main FIFO unit, an auxiliary FIFO unit and a control unit. The main FIFO unit includes first through N-th one-port memories, each of which including M entries, where N and M are integers greater than or equal to two. The auxiliary FIFO unit includes one dual-port memory having M entries. The control unit performs a write operation by receiving a write command and data and storing the data in one of the main FIFO unit and the auxiliary FIFO unit based on an operating mode, and performs a read operation by receiving a read command and reading the data from one of the main FIFO unit and the auxiliary FIFO unit based on the operating mode.