Flash Memory Data Transfer with Reduced Voltage Swing

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, such as digital still cameras and solid-state mass storage systems, while also failing to maintain compatibility with legacy systems.

Innovation Solution

A flash memory module with a multiple-mode data interface that operates in both legacy and advanced modes, where the advanced mode enables source-synchronous data transfer with reduced voltage swing to minimize power consumption and increase data transfer rates without significantly increasing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional flash memory data transfer methods are used, then compatibility with legacy systems is maintained, but data transfer rate is insufficient for modern high-performance applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidcompatibility with legacy systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flash memory device implements dynamic mode switching capability, allowing it to adapt between legacy mode and advanced mode based on the operational requirements. The device can dynamically change its data transfer protocol and voltage levels to match either conventional systems or high-performance applications, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining compatibility and achieving high data transfer rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key operational parameters including voltage swing amplitude and data encoding scheme. In advanced mode, reduced voltage swing (e.g., from 3.3V to 1.8V) and differential signaling are employed to achieve higher data transfer rates. The device can switch between different parameter sets depending on the mode, allowing it to optimize performance for modern applications while maintaining compatibility with legacy systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If data transfer rate is increased to meet modern application demands, then power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs reduced voltage swing as a key parameter change to achieve high data transfer rates with lower power consumption. By operating at reduced voltage levels (e.g., 1.8V instead of 3.3V) and using differential signaling, the device can double or triple the data transfer rate while actually reducing power consumption compared to conventional methods. This directly resolves the contradiction between increasing productivity and reducing energy use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If conventional data transfer protocols are used, then power consumption is controlled, but data transfer rate is too slow for high-performance applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transfer rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flash memory device implements dynamic mode switching capability, allowing it to adapt between legacy mode and advanced mode based on the operational requirements. The device can dynamically change its data transfer protocol and voltage levels to match either conventional systems or high-performance applications, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining compatibility and achieving high data transfer rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key operational parameters including voltage swing amplitude and data encoding scheme. In advanced mode, reduced voltage swing (e.g., from 3.3V to 1.8V) and differential signaling are employed to achieve higher data transfer rates. The device can switch between different parameter sets depending on the mode, allowing it to optimize performance for modern applications while maintaining compatibility with legacy systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7345926B2High-performance flash memory data transfer

Publication Date: 2008.03.18 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

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.