Memory Arbiter Self-Refresh Arbitration Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in managing self-refresh operations across multiple memory components, leading to high instantaneous current draw and power consumption, which can result in voltage fluctuations and impact system performance during memory input/output training.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an arbiter that receives self-refresh request signals from memory controllers and selectively provides self-refresh enable signals using a round-robin scheme to manage the timing of self-refresh operations across multiple memory components, thereby preventing excessive power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-refresh operations are enabled simultaneously across multiple memory components, then memory data retention is maintained, but instantaneous current draw and power consumption increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simultaneous self-refresh operations across multiple memory components into sequential operations controlled by an arbiter. The arbiter receives self-refresh requests from multiple memory controllers and grants access to memory components in a round-robin fashion, dividing the simultaneous operation into time-separated segments that reduce peak current draw while maintaining data retention across all components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic self-refresh operations where memory components are selected in a round-robin sequence rather than operating simultaneously. This periodic activation pattern ensures that each memory component receives the necessary refresh cycles to maintain data integrity while spacing out the operations to prevent excessive instantaneous current draw and voltage fluctuations
2Stability of the object's composition
If self-refresh operations are performed across multiple memory components, then memory stability is maintained, but voltage fluctuations increase and impact system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The arbiter segments the self-refresh operations into sequential time slots assigned to different memory components. By controlling which memory component performs self-refresh at any given moment rather than allowing simultaneous operations, the patent reduces the cumulative current draw that causes voltage fluctuations, thereby maintaining memory stability while minimizing harmful voltage variations
Solution Approach 2:
The arbiter acts as an intermediary between memory controllers and memory components, mediating the self-refresh requests. It receives requests from multiple memory controllers, manages the timing and sequencing of self-refresh operations, and grants access to individual memory components in a controlled manner, thereby preventing the simultaneous operations that cause voltage fluctuations while ensuring all memory components maintain stability
3Productivity
If multiple memory controllers operate simultaneously, then memory throughput is improved, but peak power consumption increases during training operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic self-refresh operations where memory components are selected in a round-robin sequence rather than operating simultaneously. This periodic activation pattern ensures that each memory component receives the necessary refresh cycles to maintain data integrity while spacing out the operations to prevent excessive instantaneous current draw and voltage fluctuations
Data Source
AI summary
Described apparatuses and methods relate to self-refresh arbitration. In a memory system with multiple memory components, an arbiter is configured to manage the occurrence of self-refresh operations. In aspects, the arbiter can receive one or more self-refresh request signals from at least one memory controller for authorization to command one or more memory components to enter a self-refresh mode. Upon receiving the one or more self-refresh request signals, the arbiter, based on a predetermined configuration, can transmit one or more self-refresh enable signals to the at least one memory controller with authorization to command the one or more memory components to enter the self-refresh mode. The configuration can ensure that fewer than all memory components simultaneously enter the self-refresh mode. In so doing, memory components can perform self-refresh operations without exceeding an instantaneous power threshold. The arbiter can be included in, for instance, a Compute Express Link™ (CXL™) memory module.