Semiconductor Memory Controller Parallel Data Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor memory devices face challenges in achieving high transfer rates during data writing and reading due to overheads associated with buffer switching and data error handling in advanced interfaces, which require increased buffer sizes and retransmission of data, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor memory device with a memory controller that employs a half duplex mode communication system, where data is transmitted in parallel on two signal lines with group numbering, and a status packet system to manage data errors, allowing for efficient data burst transmission and reduced retransmission overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data packets are transmitted in burst mode at short intervals to improve transfer efficiency, then data transfer speed is improved, but overhead increases due to buffer switching and error handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data packets into multiple small units transmitted in burst mode, allowing parallel processing and reduced buffer switching time. Each packet is independently handled with dedicated buffer regions, enabling efficient error recovery without blocking entire data streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-allocates multiple buffer regions and establishes error handling protocols before burst transmission begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for dynamic buffer switching during active transmission, reducing overhead and maintaining high transfer speeds.
2Loss of time
If the number of data packets is increased during burst transmission to reduce buffer switching time, then buffer switching overhead is reduced, but buffer size and retransmission volume must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the buffer memory into multiple small, dedicated regions corresponding to individual packets or small groups of packets. This segmentation allows the system to handle many small packets simultaneously without requiring a large monolithic buffer, reducing overall buffer size requirements while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where successfully received packets are quickly discarded from buffers to free up space, while error packets are marked for selective retransmission. This efficient buffer management allows continuous burst transmission with manageable buffer sizes by constantly recycling buffer space.
3Ease of operation
If buffer switching is performed frequently to handle data packets, then data packet processing is enabled, but transfer efficiency decreases due to overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer into multiple fixed regions, each dedicated to handling specific packets. This eliminates the need for dynamic buffer switching operations, as each packet has its designated space. The segmentation enables simultaneous processing of multiple packets without interference, maintaining high transfer efficiency while providing full packet processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pointer copying or reference mechanisms to manage packet data across buffer regions without physically moving data. This virtual switching approach maintains the flexibility needed for packet processing while avoiding the time-consuming physical buffer switching operations that would reduce transfer efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory and a controller. The controller controls the memory, communicates with a host device via a first signal line and a second signal line, and receives data items to be written in the memory from the host device on the first and second signal lines in a first period. The same group number is assigned to two data items which flow in parallel on the first and second signal lines. The controller transmits to the host device a response packet including an indication of a group number assigned to an unsuccessfully received one of the data items.