Memory Controller Power and Dequeuing Time Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems face inefficiencies in power management, leading to pending operations due to command queuing issues, where the system remains idle waiting for power limits and de-queuing times, affecting performance.
Innovation Solution
A memory system and operating method that identify target commands, compare estimated power and de-queuing times, and strategically dequeue commands to manage power consumption, allowing for tasks that do not require memory device operation when de-queuing times exceed thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the system queues commands in the host command queue without power management, then command processing continues without interruption, but the system remains idle pending power limit checks and de-queuing time checks, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary power estimation and de-queuing time checking before adding commands to the queue. By evaluating whether the estimated power exceeds the power limit and whether the estimated de-queuing time exceeds the threshold beforehand, the system avoids idle waiting and maintains continuous command processing, thereby improving productivity without incurring time loss.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the system performs strict power limit checking before each command dequeue, then power consumption is controlled within limits, but the system experiences increased idle time waiting for power limits to be available
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary power estimation before dequeue operations by calculating the sum of power values of commands in the queue and comparing it with the power limit. This advance evaluation eliminates the need for repeated idle waiting during dequeue operations, as the system already knows whether the power limit will be exceeded before attempting to process commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the current power consumption and compares it with the power limit, using this feedback information to make real-time decisions about command dequeueing. When the estimated power is within the limit, commands are dequeued; when it exceeds the limit, the system waits or adjusts the queue, creating a dynamic feedback-controlled power management mechanism that minimizes idle time while maintaining power control.
3Speed
If the system allows commands to be dequeued without estimating de-queuing time, then command processing speed is maintained, but the system may exceed power limits or require excessive power management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The controller estimates the de-queuing time by summing the individual de-queuing times of commands in the queue before processing. This preliminary time estimation allows the system to predict future power consumption patterns and ensure that power limits will not be exceeded during the dequeue operation, maintaining both speed and power compliance without requiring excessive overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a memory system including a memory device and a controller which controls the memory device includes identifying a target command among a plurality of commands queued in a host command queue; comparing an estimated power with a power limit; checking an estimated de-queuing time in the case where the estimated power is larger than or equal to the power limit; dequeuing the target command from the host command queue to a memory command queue in the case where the estimated de-queuing time is smaller than a predetermined threshold value; de-queueing the target command from the memory command queue to the memory device; and performing an operation corresponding to the target command.