Memory Clock Frequency Selection for Power-Speed Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor memory technologies face challenges in balancing high memory I/O speeds with power consumption, as high speeds are required for applications like graphics memory but result in increased power usage, while lower power consumption is needed for other applications, necessitating the ability to operate at various clock frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device incorporates a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit and clock divider circuit to generate multiple clock frequencies, allowing the memory to operate at double-data rate (DDR) or quad-data rate (QDR) modes, enabling flexible data transfer rates while managing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the memory device operates at high clock frequencies to achieve high memory I/O speeds, then the data transfer rate is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock frequency selection by providing multiple clock signals with different frequencies (first clock signal and second clock signal) to the PLL circuit. The system can dynamically switch between operating modes (first mode and second mode) to adjust the memory I/O speed according to application requirements, thereby optimizing the balance between speed and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the clock frequency parameter by selecting different clock signals (first clock signal with first frequency, second clock signal with second frequency) based on the desired operating mode. This parameter change enables the memory device to operate at different data rates (first data rate and second data rate), allowing optimization of power consumption while maintaining required performance levels.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the memory device operates at low clock frequencies to reduce power consumption, then the power usage is reduced, but the memory I/O speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters by switching between first and second modes based on application needs. When low power consumption is required, the system transitions to the second mode with lower clock frequency and data rate, while maintaining the capability to switch back to high-speed operation when performance demands increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting different clock frequency values (first frequency vs. second frequency) and corresponding data rates (first data rate vs. second data rate). This enables flexible adjustment of power consumption levels while preserving the ability to achieve high memory I/O speeds when applications require maximum performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for providing internal clock signals of different clock frequencies in a semiconductor device are described in the present application. An example apparatus includes a read command buffer and a read data output circuit. The read command. buffer buffers a read command responsive to a first clock signal and provides the read command responsive to a second clock signal. The read data output circuit receives a plurality of bits of data in parallel when activated by the read command from the read command buffer, and provides the plurality of bits of data serially responsive to input/output (IO) clock signals. A data clock timing circuit provides the IO clock signals having a first clock frequency in a first mode and having a second clock frequency in a second mode, and further provides the second clock signal having the first clock frequency in the first and second modes.