Memory Cell Pair Layout for Unified Volatile and Non-Volatile Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices struggle to efficiently store both non-volatile and volatile data within a limited physical resource, as current technologies often require separate memory spaces for each type, leading to inefficiencies in data storage and management.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device is designed with a memory system that logically divides non-volatile and volatile memory on a single physical space, utilizing a memory cell pair structure where data is stored in a non-volatile manner based on physical connection patterns and in a volatile manner through electrical means, with a memory controller managing data access and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate memory spaces are used for non-volatile and volatile data, then data storage functionality is complete, but physical resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges non-volatile memory and volatile memory into a single physical memory space, allowing both types of data to be stored in the same physical resources. This is achieved by dividing the memory space into first and second regions that can be dynamically allocated for different storage functions, thereby improving physical resource utilization efficiency while maintaining complete data storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device is designed with multi-functionality to serve both non-volatile and volatile storage requirements within the same physical structure. The memory controller dynamically manages the memory regions to provide universal access to both data types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated memory spaces and optimizing resource usage.
2Ease of operation
If memory space is divided into separate regions for non-volatile and volatile data, then data access control is simplified, but overall storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic region allocation where the first and second memory regions can be dynamically assigned based on access patterns and storage requirements. The memory controller dynamically adjusts which region stores non-volatile data and which stores volatile data, allowing the system to optimize storage efficiency while maintaining simplified access control through the unified memory architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A semiconductor device is provided. The device includes a memory storing data in a non-volatile manner and in a volatile manner and a memory controller configured to control the memory. The memory includes a word line pair including a first word line and a second word line, a first bit line pair orthogonal to the first word line and the second word line and including a first bit line and a first complementary bit line, and a memory cell pair including a first memory cell and a second memory cell adjacent to the first memory cell in a word line direction. The first memory cell and the second memory cell each store data in the volatile manner.