Memory Bank Segment Activation for Low Current Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory technologies consume unnecessary current as all segments of a bank are activated when accessing data from a specific segment, leading to inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and memory architecture where a controller generates a pre-charge command for a following segment before enabling active and access commands, ensuring only the necessary word line switches, bit switches, and sensing amplifier groups for the specific segment are turned on, reducing current consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all word line switches and bit switches of a bank are turned on to access data, then data access is enabled, but current consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The memory bank is divided into multiple segments, each with its own dedicated sense amplifier group. By activating only the specific segment containing the target data rather than all segments, the patent reduces the number of word line switches and bit switches that need to be turned on, thereby reducing current consumption while maintaining data access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of activating all segments and switches in the bank (excessive action), the patent activates only the necessary portion (specific segment) required for the data access operation. This partial activation approach eliminates unnecessary current consumption from inactive segments while ensuring the required data can be accessed.
2Productivity
If all sensing amplifier groups of a bank are turned on for data access, then data retrieval is enabled, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bank into multiple segments with dedicated sense amplifier groups for each segment. This segmentation allows the controller to activate only the specific sense amplifier group corresponding to the segment containing the target data, rather than activating all sense amplifier groups in the bank. This reduces power consumption while maintaining fast data retrieval capability for the accessed segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each segment is equipped with its own dedicated sense amplifier group, creating local quality differentiation. The patent activates only the local sense amplifier group needed for the specific data access operation, rather than globally activating all sense amplifier groups. This localized activation improves power efficiency while preserving fast access performance for the targeted segment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing current consumption of a memory is disclosed, wherein the memory includes a controller and a plurality of banks, and each bank of the plurality of banks includes a plurality of segments. The method includes the controller enabling an activating command corresponding to a first row address and an address of a first bank of the plurality of banks; a word line switch of a segment of the first bank corresponding to the first row address being turned on according to the activating command; the controller enabling an access command corresponding to an address of the segment; a plurality of bit switches corresponding to the segment being turned on according to the access command; and the controller enabling a pre-charge command corresponding to an address of a following segment and the address of the first bank after the access command is disabled.