Memory Bank Masked Refresh for Continuous Read/Write Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices face inefficiencies in refresh operations, as simultaneous refresh operations on all memory banks render the entire memory array inaccessible for extended periods, while subset refresh operations can be incomplete or take excessive time, necessitating a more flexible and efficient approach.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-bank refresh mechanism that uses a seed address and mask code to selectively identify subsets of memory banks for refresh, allowing partial refresh operations that minimize downtime and optimize efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If simultaneous refresh operations are performed on all memory banks, then all memory banks are refreshed completely, but the entire memory array becomes inaccessible for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory array into multiple memory banks and performs refresh operations on only a subset of banks at a time, rather than refreshing all banks simultaneously. This segmentation allows other banks to remain accessible during refresh operations, resolving the contradiction between refresh completeness and memory accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial refresh operations by selecting only a subset of memory banks for refresh at any given time, rather than performing complete refresh on all banks. This partial action maintains system productivity while ensuring reliability through periodic refresh cycles that eventually cover all banks.
2Productivity
If subset refresh operations are performed on memory banks, then memory accessibility is maintained, but the refresh operations may be incomplete or take excessive time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic refresh operations that cycle through different subsets of memory banks over time. By repeatedly applying partial refresh operations in periodic cycles, the system ensures that all memory banks are eventually refreshed while maintaining accessibility during each individual refresh cycle.
3Device complexity
If traditional refresh operations are used, then simple implementation is maintained, but resource utilization bottlenecks occur during refresh cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments refresh operations into multiple parallel operations on different memory bank subsets. This allows the refresh process to utilize resources more efficiently by performing multiple refresh operations simultaneously on different banks, reducing the total time resources are locked and improving overall resource utilization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for a multi-bank refresh operation performed on a subset of memory banks from a plurality of memory bank of a memory device. The subset of memory banks may be determined by a seed address and a mask code. The seed address and the mask code may be part of the multi-bank refresh command, or the mask code may be stored in a mode register. A memory device may perform a mask operation using the seed address and the mask code to identify a set of memory banks on which a refresh operation will be performed and memory banks to be masked. The masked memory banks may not have a refresh operation performed on them, thus making them available for access operations during a refresh operation.