Hybrid Memory Page Migration Based on Read-to-Write Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hybrid memory systems face performance degradation due to the limitations of nonvolatile memory's write endurance and the high power consumption of volatile memory, especially when temperature increases, causing a need for more frequent refresh operations that interfere with read/write operations.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid memory system that migrates pages between volatile and nonvolatile memory based on a threshold read-to-write ratio, adjusted according to the refresh interval, to optimize performance and energy efficiency, with a memory controller managing the migration to prevent performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refresh interval of volatile memory is shortened to retain data at high temperature, then data retention reliability is improved, but memory access performance deteriorates due to more frequent refresh operations interfering with read/write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the refresh interval parameter of volatile memory based on temperature conditions. When temperature increases, the refresh interval is shortened to ensure data retention reliability. The memory controller adjusts the refresh rate according to temperature sensors, optimizing the balance between reliability and performance for different thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a page migration mechanism as an intermediary solution. The memory controller monitors temperature and refresh interval conditions, and when refresh operations become too frequent and interfere with performance, it migrates pages from volatile memory to nonvolatile memory. This intermediary migration process resolves the conflict between needing frequent refreshes for reliability and maintaining access performance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If pages are migrated from volatile memory to nonvolatile memory based on write count, then write endurance is improved, but memory access performance deteriorates due to frequent refresh operations at high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the page migration policy dynamic by considering both write count and temperature-induced refresh interval changes. Instead of a static migration policy based solely on write counts, the system dynamically adjusts migration decisions based on current temperature conditions and refresh interval requirements, optimizing both write endurance and access performance under varying thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the migration threshold parameter dynamically based on temperature and refresh interval conditions. When temperature rises and refresh intervals shorten, the migration threshold is adjusted to trigger earlier migration to nonvolatile memory, preventing performance degradation while maintaining write endurance benefits.
3Quantity of substance
If 3D-stacked DRAM is used as volatile memory to increase storage capacity, then storage density is improved, but power consumption per unit area increases causing chip temperature to rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nonvolatile memory as an intermediary storage layer. When temperature rises due to high-density 3D-stacked DRAM operation, the system migrates less frequently accessed pages to nonvolatile memory, reducing the active load on volatile memory and thereby reducing its power consumption and temperature. This intermediary migration mechanism helps thermal management while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic temperature monitoring and conditional page migration. Instead of continuous high-power operation of all volatile memory pages, the system periodically checks temperature conditions and selectively migrates pages to nonvolatile memory when temperature thresholds are exceeded, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces average power consumption and temperature of the 3D-stacked DRAM.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid memory system may include: a volatile memory; a nonvolatile memory; and a memory controller configured to a threshold value for a read-to-write ratio according to a refresh interval of the volatile memory, and to perform migration of a page between the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory based on the threshold value and a read-to-write ratio of the page.