Memory Chunk Selector Circuit for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor memory devices, access lines remain biased during programming and read operations, leading to unnecessary power consumption and potential stress on neighboring lines due to the simultaneous activation of all cells in a block, even if not all cells require programming or reading.
Innovation Solution
Implementing chunk selector circuits to enable or disable specific chunks of cells within a block or tile during programming and read operations, allowing for selective access and reducing the number of active access lines, thereby conserving power and minimizing stress on other lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all cells in a block are simultaneously activated during programming and read operations, then complete data access is ensured, but power consumption increases and stress is applied to neighboring access lines
Solution Approach 1:
The memory block is divided into multiple independently controllable chunks, each with its own enable signal. This segmentation allows selective activation of only those chunks containing cells that need to be accessed, rather than activating all cells in the block simultaneously. The chunk enable signals control dedicated access lines for each chunk, enabling granular power management while maintaining data access reliability.
2Reliability
If all cells in a block are simultaneously activated during programming and read operations, then complete data access is ensured, but stress is applied to neighboring access lines
Solution Approach 1:
The memory block is divided into multiple independently controllable chunks, each with its own enable signal. This segmentation allows selective activation of only those chunks containing cells that need to be accessed, rather than activating all cells in the block simultaneously. The chunk enable signals control dedicated access lines for each chunk, enabling granular power management while maintaining data access reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If chunk selector circuits are implemented to enable/disable specific chunks, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory block is divided into multiple independently controllable chunks, each with its own enable signal. This segmentation allows selective activation of only those chunks containing cells that need to be accessed, rather than activating all cells in the block simultaneously. The chunk enable signals control dedicated access lines for each chunk, enabling granular power management while maintaining data access reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chunk enable signals are generated in advance based on the programming or read operation requirements. By determining which chunks need to be accessed before the actual operation begins, the system can pre-configure the enable signals to activate only the necessary chunks, avoiding the need for complex real-time control logic during the operation itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods involving accessing memory cells are described. In one such method, chunks of memory cells in a memory array are enabled to be accessed and then one or more of the chunks are disabled from being accessed. In one such apparatus, an array includes chunks of memory cells and a chunk selector circuit coupled to each chunk to enable the memory cells in the respective chunk to be accessed. Additional embodiments are described.