GIO Line Termination Control for Semiconductor Memory Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor memory devices, the increased chip area and signal delay due to lengthy GIO lines, along with coupling noise issues, are exacerbated when all GIO lines are terminated, especially in X8 or X4 products, leading to unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method for GIO lines where separate GIO termination units are constructed, allowing specific GIO line groups to be terminated based on the data transmission method, using a GIO control unit to generate control signals for activating specific termination units, thereby reducing unnecessary termination and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all GIO lines are terminated to reduce signal delay and coupling noise, then high-speed data transmission is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The GIO lines are divided into multiple groups, and termination units are constructed separately for each group. The GIO control unit selectively activates only the termination units corresponding to active GIO line groups based on the data transmission method (X16, X8, or X4), preventing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining high-speed transmission for active lines
Solution Approach 2:
The termination structure is made dynamic through the GIO control unit, which changes the activation state of termination units based on real-time data transmission requirements. When operating in X8 or X4 mode, only specific termination units are activated, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual operational needs while maintaining signal integrity
2Quantity of substance
If GIO lines are lengthened to accommodate increased chip area, then device capacity is improved, but signal delay increases and high-speed operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The GIO termination units are configured to convert the harmful effect of long line length into a beneficial effect by providing controlled impedance matching and signal termination. This reduces signal reflections and delays caused by the extended GIO line length, enabling high-speed operation despite increased chip area and device capacity
3Quantity of substance
If GIO lines are lengthened to accommodate increased chip area, then device capacity is improved, but coupling noise with neighboring lines increases severely
Solution Approach 1:
The termination units reduce coupling noise by providing proper impedance matching and signal termination on lengthened GIO lines. This converts the harmful effect of extended line length into a controlled signal environment, allowing high-speed data transmission without severe coupling noise interference to neighboring lines
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus of a GIO line includes a plurality of GIO line termination units, and a GIO control unit for generating a control signal to activate an operation of a specific one of the plurality of GIO termination units according to a data transmission method. Further, a method of controlling a GIO line through GIO termination includes the step of generating a control signal to activate an operation of a specific one of a plurality of GIO termination units according to a data transmission method.