Memory Controller Region Mapping for Channel Depth Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory mapping schemes struggle to efficiently allocate memory resources across multiple physical channels in memory systems, leading to unfillable gaps as applications are started and stopped, especially when dealing with processors having varying performance or power requirements.

Innovation Solution

A non-homogeneous memory mapping method that allocates memory regions across multiple physical channels, allowing different applications to operate at varying performance points without generating unfillable gaps, by using a data structure in the memory controller to map regions across multiple physical channels and adjust channel depths based on application needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If memory channels are mapped based on performance or power requirements of applications, then memory allocation efficiency is improved, but unfillable gaps are generated in the memory map when applications are started or terminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory allocation efficiencyVSAvoidmemory map gaps
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic memory mapping where channel depths are adjusted based on application requirements. The system continuously monitors application performance and power needs, then dynamically reconfigures the memory map to allocate different channel depths to different applications, eliminating gaps while maintaining optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of channel depth dynamically. By varying the channel depth assignment to different applications based on their specific performance and power requirements, the system achieves efficient memory allocation without creating unfillable gaps in the memory map.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If homogeneous memory mapping is used where each channel provides the same performance point, then gaps in memory map are avoided, but the needs of processors with varying performance or power requirements are not met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory map continuityVSAvoidapplication-specific optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the memory map (different applications) to have different channel depth assignments. Each application can be mapped to channels with depths optimized for its specific performance and power requirements, while the overall memory map remains continuous without gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The memory system is segmented into multiple applications, each with its own optimized channel depth configuration. The system divides the memory map into application-specific regions, allowing heterogeneous channel assignments while maintaining overall map continuity through proper segmentation management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If different channel depths are allocated to different applications, then performance and power requirements are optimized, but it becomes difficult to allocate memory to newly started applications due to gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication performance optimizationVSAvoidmemory allocation for new applications
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts channel depth allocations when new applications are started. Instead of static assignments, the memory controller continuously reconfigures the memory map to accommodate new applications while maintaining optimization for running applications, ensuring both performance and ease of allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2946303B1Systems and methods for accessing memory
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2946303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2946303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2946303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods of mapping memory cells to applications, methods of accessing memory cells, systems, and memory controllers are described. In some embodiments, a memory system including multiple physical channels is mapped into regions, such that any region spans each physical channel of the memory system. Applications are allocated memory in the regions, and performance and power requirements of the applications are associated with the regions. Additional methods and systems are also described.