Memory Controller Interface Mode Matching via State Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face inefficiencies due to interface mode mismatches between memory devices and controllers, leading to increased operation times and potential errors when accessing memory devices after sleep mode or power cycles, as they may not recognize the previous operational mode of the memory device.
Innovation Solution
A memory system and method where the memory device informs the memory controller of its current operational mode through a current state request signal, allowing the controller to adjust its interface mode to match, thereby avoiding unnecessary resets or CAM reads and improving access efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the memory controller performs reset or CAM read operations to ensure proper interface matching, then reliability is improved, but operation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device provides feedback to the memory controller about its current operation mode through detection circuits and control circuits. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to know the device's state without performing time-consuming reset or CAM read operations, thus maintaining reliability while reducing operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device proactively maintains and communicates its current operation mode information to the controller before any access operation occurs. This preliminary action ensures the controller can immediately adjust to the correct interface mode without needing to perform preliminary reset or CAM read operations.
2Measurement precision
If the memory controller performs reset or CAM read operations to detect interface mode, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device provides direct feedback about its operation mode through control circuits that communicate the current state to the controller. This eliminates the need for the controller to perform reset or CAM read operations to detect the mode, achieving both precise detection and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device autonomously maintains and communicates its operation mode information through its own control circuits. This self-service approach allows the controller to accurately detect the interface mode without performing additional operations, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and productivity.
3Loss of time
If the memory controller assumes a default interface mode after power cycle, then operation time is reduced, but reliability worsens due to potential mode mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of assuming a default mode, the memory controller receives feedback from the memory device about its actual operation mode through control circuits. This feedback mechanism ensures the controller uses the correct interface mode, maintaining reliability while keeping initialization time short.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device proactively communicates its operation mode to the controller before any data transfer occurs. This preliminary action allows the controller to immediately configure the correct interface mode without assuming defaults, ensuring both speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system may include: a memory device storing data and including a memory interface in communication with a memory controller; and the memory controller controlling the memory device and including a controller interface in communication with the memory device, and, wherein, when the memory device is inaccessible, the memory controller requests a current state information including current operation mode of the memory interface from the memory device, and changes an operation mode of the controller interface to match the current operation mode of the memory interface according to the current state information received from the memory device.