Memory Control Line Termination Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to reduce wire efficiency in electronic apparatuses by removing components that do not affect performance, such as resistive and capacitive elements used for termination voltage, to save space and lower manufacturing costs while maintaining signal quality.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus design omits termination voltage and resistor-capacitor components for control lines shorter than a predetermined length, determined by the operating frequency, allowing normal operation without signal reflection noise, thereby reducing material usage and freeing up space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If termination voltage and resistor-capacitor components are removed from control lines, then manufacturing cost is reduced and space is saved, but signal quality may deteriorate due to potential signal reflection noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment of control lines based on their specific characteristics. Control lines shorter than a predetermined length omit termination voltage and resistor-capacitor components to reduce cost and space, while control lines longer than the threshold retain these components to maintain signal quality. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by tailoring the solution to each control line's specific needs rather than applying a uniform approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by using wire length as the critical parameter to determine component inclusion. By establishing a predetermined length threshold and comparing actual control line lengths against it, the system dynamically adjusts whether to include termination voltage and resistor-capacitor components. This parameter-based decision-making resolves the contradiction by objectively determining when cost-saving measures are appropriate versus when signal quality preservation is necessary.
2Device complexity
If termination voltage and resistor-capacitor components are removed, then device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but signal reflection noise may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively removing components only from control lines where it is safe to do so. By assessing each control line's length against a predetermined threshold, the system removes termination voltage and resistor-capacitor components from short lines (reducing complexity) while preserving them on long lines (preventing harmful signal reflection noise). This localized approach resolves the contradiction between simplification and noise prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of signal reflection noise into a benefit by using wire length as the determining factor. Control lines shorter than the predetermined length are identified as inherently less susceptible to signal reflection noise, allowing safe component removal. Thus, the wire length characteristic that could be seen as a constraint becomes the key to enabling component reduction without harmful effects.
3Area of stationary object
If control lines are made shorter to save space, then area is reduced, but signal quality may be compromised if below certain length threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by establishing a predetermined length threshold that defines the boundary between safe and unsafe wire lengths. Control lines are designed and routed to fall within acceptable length parameters, ensuring they are short enough to save space but not so short that they compromise signal quality. This parameter-based approach resolves the contradiction by providing clear design guidelines that balance area reduction with reliability maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a circuit board, a memory chip mounted on the circuit board, a memory controller to control an operation of the memory chip, a conductive pattern including a first control line to connect from a first terminal of the memory chip to a first terminal of the memory chip and a second control line to connect from a second terminal of the memory controller to a second terminal of the memory chip, and a capacitive element to provide a termination voltage. The first control line is connected to the capacitive element and the second control line is not connected to the capacitive element.