Flash Memory Data Transfer Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash memory devices have inadequate data transfer rates, leading to increased power consumption and limitations in meeting the demands of modern high-performance applications, particularly in digital still cameras and solid-state mass storage systems, where higher data transfer rates are necessary to reduce 'shutter lag' and improve system performance.
Innovation Solution
A flash memory module with a multi-mode data interface that operates in both legacy and advanced modes, allowing for high-performance data transfer while minimizing power consumption, by using a reduced voltage swing and enabling data transfer synchronous with both rising and falling edges of the strobe signal, maintaining backward compatibility with conventional standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flash memory data transfer mode is used, then power consumption is kept at acceptable levels, but data transfer rate is insufficient for high-performance applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes that allow the flash memory device to switch between legacy mode and advanced mode. In advanced mode, the device operates with doubled data transfer rates by utilizing both rising and falling edges of the clock signal, while in legacy mode it operates at conventional rates. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize between speed and power consumption based on application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the data interface by implementing source-synchronous signaling with reduced voltage swing in advanced mode. The data transfer rate is doubled by capturing data on both rising and falling edges of the clock signal, while the reduced voltage swing helps control power consumption. This parameter change enables higher performance without linearly increasing power dissipation.
2Productivity
If data transfer rate is increased to meet high-performance application demands, then system performance improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes periodic clock signal edges (both rising and falling edges) to transfer data in advanced mode, effectively doubling the data transfer rate. By synchronizing data transfer with periodic clock edges and using reduced voltage swing, the system achieves higher productivity while controlling the energy loss associated with frequent signal transitions.
3Productivity
If advanced data transfer mode is implemented, then data transfer rate doubles, but compatibility with legacy systems may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data interface that can operate in multiple modes - legacy mode for compatibility with conventional systems and advanced mode for high-performance applications. The flash memory device and controller both support both operating modes, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different system requirements and maintain backward compatibility while enabling future high-performance applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A flash memory system including a flash memory device and a controller, operable according to an advanced data transfer mode is disclosed. The flash memory device is operable both in a “legacy” mode, in which read data is presented by the memory synchronously with each cycle of a read data strobe from the controller, and in which input data is latched by the memory synchronously with each cycle of a write data strobe from the controller. In the advanced mode, which can be initiated by the controller forwarding an initiation command to the memory, the flash memory itself sources the read data strobe, and presents data synchronously with both the falling and rising edges of that read data strobe. In the advanced mode, the input data is presented by the controller synchronously with both edges of the write data strobe. The voltage swing of the data and control signals is reduced from conventional standards, to reduce power consumption.