Memory Controller Calibration for Power State Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Calibration of memory devices is required when some memory devices connected to a memory bus are powered off, leading to changes in wiring load capacity, making it impossible to reduce calibration time.

Innovation Solution

A memory controller with an on/off-switching control unit, memory configuration-setting unit, calibration unit, storage unit, and setting unit that executes calibration on all memory configurations and stores results for setting memory controller and device settings based on stored calibration results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If memory devices are powered off to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but calibration must be re-executed causing time loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calibrating memory devices for multiple possible power states before operation. The calibration unit executes calibration for all types of memory configuration in advance, storing results so that when power states change during operation, the controller can directly apply pre-stored calibration results without re-calibrating, thus avoiding time loss while enabling power consumption reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the calibration configuration adaptive to changing power states. The calibration unit determines current memory configuration based on which memory devices are powered on or off, and dynamically selects appropriate pre-calibrated results from storage unit to apply, enabling the system to efficiently handle dynamic power management without repeated calibration overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If calibration is executed for all memory configurations, then adaptability to power state changes is improved, but initial setup complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to power state changesVSAvoidcalibration setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the calibration unit to execute a single comprehensive calibration process that generates calibration results for all possible memory configurations simultaneously. This multi-functional calibration approach stores results for various power states in the storage unit, enabling the system to handle diverse power management scenarios through one unified calibration routine rather than separate calibrations for each configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10109328B2Memory controller for adjusting timing based on memory power states

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 CANON KK

AI summary

A memory controller that enables reduction of calibration time. A memory controller controls a plurality of memory devices. A result of calibration on a memory configuration to be set at the start of a multifunction peripheral and results of calibration on other memory configurations than the memory configuration to be set at the startup of the multifunction peripheral are stored. Settings of the memory controller and settings of the memory devices are made using a result of calibration on the memory configuration adapted to the standby mode or the normal operation mode, which is selected from the stored calibration results.