Semiconductor Memory Bank Group Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory controllers for SDRAMs inefficiently manage precharge operations, leading to unnecessary power consumption and time delays due to applying either auto precharge or open page mode to all banks, regardless of the access pattern of data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a semiconductor memory device with a memory controller that independently applies auto precharge or open page mode to different bank groups based on the access pattern of data, using control signals to determine the appropriate mode for each bank group, thereby optimizing power usage and operation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same precharge mode (auto precharge or open page mode) is applied to all banks, then the control logic is simple, but power consumption increases and operation time is wasted due to unnecessary precharge operations
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is segmented into multiple bank groups, where each bank group can be independently configured with different precharge modes (auto precharge or open page mode). This segmentation allows the controller to apply the most appropriate mode to each bank group based on its access patterns, thereby reducing unnecessary precharge operations and lowering power consumption without requiring complete redesign of the control logic for the entire memory system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different precharge modes are applied locally to different bank groups based on their specific access characteristics. Bank groups with random access patterns are configured with auto precharge mode, while bank groups with sequential access patterns use open page mode. This local quality approach optimizes power consumption and operation time for each bank group individually, rather than applying a uniform mode to all banks.
2Reliability
If auto precharge mode is applied to all banks, then precharge operations are automatically performed, but operation time increases when same rows are repeatedly accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The precharge mode for each bank group is made dynamic and configurable, allowing the system to switch between auto precharge mode and open page mode based on the access patterns detected in each bank group. This dynamic configuration enables the system to automatically select the most time-efficient mode for each bank group, reducing operation time for repeated row accesses while maintaining reliable precharge operations for random access patterns.
3Loss of time
If open page mode is applied to all banks, then operation time is reduced for repeated row accesses, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary retention of activated rows
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies open page mode locally only to bank groups that exhibit sequential access patterns, while other bank groups with random access patterns continue to use auto precharge mode. This localized application of open page mode reduces operation time for the appropriate bank groups without causing unnecessary power consumption from retaining activated rows in bank groups where it is not beneficial, thus optimizing the power-time tradeoff for each bank group independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor memory device in which a mode of a memory bank may be independently selected and a method of controlling the semiconductor memory device may be provided. The semiconductor memory device with a plurality of banks may include a plurality of bank groups that each may have at least one bank from among the plurality of banks, and a memory controller that may control a read/write operation to be performed on a bank belonging to a bank group from among the plurality of bank groups, in response to a control signal, where different modes or the same mode may be applied to the bank groups. Accordingly, different modes or the same mode may be applied to the banks so that the read/write operation may be performed on a bank having a mode that is advantageous to the type of data, thereby minimizing consumption of power and a time delay.