Memory Calibration Resolution Adjustment for Power Budget Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
In memory subsystems, calibrations are challenging in limited power scenarios, such as during a cold boot of a portable device with a discharged battery, where external power may be limited, leading to potential brownouts and system reboots.
Innovation Solution
A memory calibration routine that modifies the resolution of memory calibrations based on the available energy, including increasing calibration step sizes, reducing the number of bits used, delaying calibration onset, and performing calibrations in segments with delays, to ensure operations within an energy budget.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full-resolution memory calibrations are performed during boot-up, then calibration accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases causing brownouts in limited power scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration resolution is made dynamic rather than static. The memory controller adjusts the calibration resolution based on detected power conditions - using full resolution when power is充足 and reduced resolution when power is limited, allowing the system to adapt to varying energy availability during boot-up
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the calibration parameters (such as step size, number of calibration points, or calibration depth) based on power availability. When power is limited, the system modifies calibration parameters to reduce energy consumption while still achieving sufficient calibration accuracy to prevent brownouts
2Measurement precision
If memory calibrations are performed with high resolution, then signal sampling accuracy is improved, but system stability deteriorates in limited power scenarios due to brownouts
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts calibration resolution based on real-time power condition detection. When power limitations are detected, the system switches to a lower resolution calibration mode that consumes less energy, thereby maintaining system stability and preventing brownouts while still achieving adequate signal sampling accuracy
3Measurement precision
If calibration step size is reduced for higher precision, then calibration accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases beyond available power budget
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies calibration parameters including step size based on available power budget. When power is limited, the system increases calibration step size (reducing the number of calibration steps) to decrease energy consumption while maintaining sufficient calibration precision for stable operation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a computing device in which memory calibrations may be modified based on an energy budget. A computing device is configured to operate using energy provided from at least one energy source. The computing device includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a calibration circuit configured to perform a memory calibration. The computing device further includes an energy detection circuit configured to detect and indicate an amount of energy available to the computing device. The memory controller is configured to, based on the amount of energy available to the computing device and a specified energy limit, modify a resolution of the memory calibration such that the memory calibration consumes less energy than the specified energy limit.