Memory Device Buffer Management for In-Memory Data Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory systems experience high latency and energy consumption due to data operations involving movement over memory channels, even for operations like data copy and initialization that do not require computation, affecting system performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a buffer within the memory device and a Processing-in-Memory (PIM) cluster to perform data operations without data movement over the memory channel, using buffer fill and copy commands to manage data between memory banks and the PIM cluster, enabling in-memory data processing and initialization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data operations are performed by transferring data over memory channel, then data copy and initialization operations can be completed, but latency and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary buffer located within the memory device that mediates data operations. Instead of directly transferring data over the memory channel for every operation, the buffer receives data once and enables multiple subsequent operations (copy, initialization, processing) without repeated external transfers, thus reducing latency while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer is pre-loaded with data into the memory device before actual operations begin. This preliminary action allows subsequent data copy and initialization operations to proceed internally without waiting for external data transfers, significantly reducing the latency of multiple sequential operations
2Productivity
If data operations involve movement over memory channel, then data can be transferred between locations, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal buffer acts as an energy-saving intermediary that allows data operations to be completed without repeated traversals over the memory channel. Once data is loaded into the buffer, subsequent copy and initialization operations occur internally, eliminating the need for continuous external data movement and significantly reducing energy consumption while preserving data transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device performs self-service by executing data copy and initialization operations internally using its own buffer resources. This eliminates the need for the host system to repeatedly initiate data transfers over the memory channel, reducing overall system energy consumption while maintaining full data operation functionality
3Ease of operation
If conventional data transfer methods are used, then data operations can be performed, but system performance degrades due to high bandwidth requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer serves as an intermediary that decouples data operation functionality from high-bandwidth memory channel requirements. It enables data copy and initialization operations to proceed using only internal memory resources, eliminating the need for continuous high-speed external transfers and thus maintaining ease of operation while preventing system performance degradation
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a memory device including memory banks and a data bus management circuit and a host coupled to the memory device. The host includes a memory controller detecting at least one trigger initiated by at least one application for performing at least one operation on data stored within the memory device, the at least one operation including at least one of a data copy operation, and a data processing operation, and performing the at least one operation on the data within the memory device by enabling movement of the data between the data bus management circuit of the memory device and at least one memory bank of the memory banks, without exchanging the data with the host, using at least one buffer fill command and at least one buffer copy command.