Memory Array Data Line Segmentation for Current Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As memory arrays increase in capacity, the current required to drive data lines also increases, leading to higher power consumption and the need for more expensive, larger components, necessitating a reduction in current consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of separate main data lines for different banks of the memory array during write operations, allowing for optimized current usage by dividing the banks into subsets and using different main data lines for read and write operations, thereby reducing current draw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If memory arrays increase in capacity, then storage capability is improved, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory array is divided into multiple banks (e.g., first bank, second bank, third bank, fourth bank), and separate main data lines are assigned to different banks. This segmentation allows concurrent access to multiple banks through parallel data paths, increasing effective capacity while distributing current load across multiple lines rather than requiring one line to handle all memory operations.
2Power
If current required to drive data lines increases, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission path is segmented into multiple main data lines (first main data line, second main data line, third main data line, fourth main data line), each serving specific banks. This divides the total current requirement across multiple lines, allowing data transmission capability to be maintained or improved through parallelism while reducing the current burden on any single line, thereby lowering overall power consumption.
3Power
If current required to drive data lines increases, then data transmission capability is improved, but component size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission system is divided into multiple separate main data lines, each handling a portion of the memory banks. This segmentation allows the use of multiple smaller, more efficient conductors rather than requiring a single large-capacity conductor, reducing overall material usage and component footprint while maintaining the necessary data transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, separate main I/O (MIO) lines may be used for writing to different banks of a memory array. In some examples, separate MIO lines may be used for writing to and reading from different memory banks. In some examples, the MIO lines for some banks may be used as shield lines between the MIO lines for other banks.