Semiconductor Memory Block Thermal Management via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal engineering for semiconductor memory devices is inadequate in managing local temperature distributions, leading to operation errors and device destruction in three-dimensional multilayered memories due to insufficient design that accounts for maximum temperature tolerance only.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor memory device with a control portion that determines the number and positions of selected blocks based on local temperature distribution, setting a selection inhibited region to manage temperature relaxation time and prevent temperature rise beyond tolerance, using a matrix arrangement of blocks for independent write, read, or erase operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional thermal engineering estimates maximum temperature based on gross power consumption, then the design process is simple, but local temperature distribution cannot be controlled and temperature may exceed tolerance during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is divided into multiple independently controllable blocks arranged in an n×m matrix. The control portion manages each block separately, tracking temperature relaxation times and setting selection inhibited regions for specific blocks, thereby achieving localized temperature control rather than global estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion dynamically adjusts block selection based on real-time temperature conditions by tracking temperature relaxation times. The selection inhibited region is dynamically set and adjusted according to when temperature relaxation occurs, allowing adaptive temperature management during operation
2Productivity
If multiple blocks are operated simultaneously to increase productivity, then throughput improves, but local temperature rise exceeds tolerance causing operation errors
Solution Approach 1:
Blocks are segmented into independently controllable units with individual temperature management. The control portion can select multiple blocks for parallel operation but enforces constraints by setting selection inhibited regions, ensuring that simultaneous operations do not cause cumulative temperature rise beyond tolerance in any local area
Solution Approach 2:
Different blocks have different temperature states and relaxation times. The control portion applies local quality control by setting selection inhibited regions specifically for blocks that have not yet completed temperature relaxation, while allowing operation on blocks that have cooled sufficiently, thereby enabling parallel operations without uniform restriction
3Temperature
If temperature relaxation time is extended to cool blocks, then temperature remains within tolerance, but operation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the memory into multiple blocks with independent temperature management, the system can overlap temperature relaxation periods with operations on other blocks. While one block is cooling down, the control portion can perform operations on other blocks that have completed relaxation, maintaining throughput while ensuring temperature safety
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion implements periodic operation cycles where blocks are selected based on whether their temperature relaxation time has elapsed. This periodic selection pattern allows the system to rhythmically alternate between blocks, ensuring each block operates only after cooling while maintaining continuous productivity through parallel block utilization
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including blocks, each block being capable of executing a write, read, or erase operation independently of other blocks. A control portion is configured to execute the operation of a first block among the blocks in a first cycle, set a selection inhibited region within a range of a predetermined distance from the first block, until a temperature relaxation time for relaxing a temperature of the first block has elapsed, set a region except the selection inhibited region among the blocks as a second block, and execute the operation of the second block in a second cycle.