Memory Controller Clock Switching for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flash memory storage apparatuses face instability due to high temperatures generated by high-speed accessing, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A clock switching method that dynamically adjusts the operation frequency of the memory storage apparatus based on continuous accessing time, switching between an initial state, a power saving state, and a general state to manage thermal energy and maintain high-speed data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the memory storage apparatus operates at a higher clock frequency to improve performance, then the reading and writing speed is improved, but thermal energy increases causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock frequency adjustment by switching between a first clock frequency (higher speed) and a second clock frequency (lower speed). The controller monitors continuous accessing time and automatically switches to the second clock frequency when thermal energy becomes excessive, then switches back to the first clock frequency when temperature decreases. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed operation when conditions permit while preventing thermal instability when limits are approached.
2Productivity
If the memory storage apparatus operates continuously at high clock frequency, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to thermal instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the continuous accessing time and thermal energy levels. When the monitoring circuit detects that continuous accessing time exceeds a threshold or thermal energy becomes excessive, the controller automatically switches to the second clock frequency to reduce heat generation. After switching, the controller continues monitoring until temperature decreases, then switches back to the first clock frequency. This closed-loop feedback system maintains reliability by preventing thermal instability while maximizing productivity during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A clock switching method for a memory storage apparatus is provided. The method includes: setting a value of the clock as a first operation frequency when an operation mode is switched to an initial state; determining whether a first continuous accessing time of accessing continuously a rewritable non-volatile memory module is larger than a first setting value during a period in which the operation mode is at the initial state; re-setting the value of the clock as a second operation frequency, which is smaller than the first operation frequency, to switch the operation mode to a power saving state if the first continuously access time is larger than the first setting value; and re-setting the value of the clock as the first operation frequency to switch the operation mode to a general state during a period in which the operation mode is at the power saving state.