Memory Controller Command Routing for Per-Device Refresh Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in preventing data loss due to the decreasing data retention time of memory cells, despite the use of general refresh designs, which may not optimally determine the necessity of refresh operations for each memory device.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a memory controller that generates specific commands for each memory device based on access requests, allowing for optimized refresh, read, and write operations, thereby reducing power consumption by determining the necessity of refresh operations on a per-device basis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If general refresh designs are used for memory devices, then data loss prevention is attempted, but power consumption cannot be optimized and refresh operations are not determined on a per-device basis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory system into multiple memory devices (first memory device and second memory device) and applies independent refresh control to each device based on its access patterns. The memory controller determines separately whether each memory device needs refresh operations, rather than applying a uniform refresh strategy to all devices, thereby optimizing power consumption while maintaining data reliability.
2Reliability
If refresh operations are performed for all memory devices, then data retention is maintained, but unnecessary power consumption occurs for devices that do not require refresh
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements differentiated refresh strategies for different memory devices based on their individual access characteristics. The memory controller analyzes access patterns of each memory device and applies refresh operations only when necessary for each specific device, rather than uniformly applying refresh to all devices. This localizes the refresh operation to where it is most needed, reducing unnecessary power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If per-device refresh determination is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but the complexity of command generation and device selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller autonomously determines which memory devices require refresh operations by monitoring their own access patterns and internal state. The system self-evaluates the need for refresh based on stored access information and automatically generates appropriate commands without external intervention, managing the complexity internally while presenting a simplified interface to the host.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a memory system and an operating method of the memory system. The memory system includes a memory controller configured to generate a first command and a second command in response to receiving a sequential command from a host, and a first memory device and a second memory device each configured to receive the first command and the second command, wherein the sequential command is a command to determine or indicates whether to access each of the first memory device and the second memory device, and the memory controller is further configured to determine whether to access at least one memory device among the first and second memory devices, transmit the first command to the first memory device when the first memory device is to be accessed, and transmit the second command to the second memory device when the second memory device is not to be accessed.