Memory Controller Timing Adjustment for Peak Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In memory systems, efficiently managing power consumption across multiple command operations to minimize energy usage while ensuring peak power remains within acceptable limits is challenging, especially when commands are sequentially propagated to multiple memory devices.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a controller that stores profile information on power consumption changes for each operation section, calculates the maximum overlap operation section where peak power is maintained at or below a reference level, and adjusts the timing difference between commands based on this calculation to optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If commands are sequentially propagated to multiple memory devices without timing adjustment, then operation speed is maintained, but power consumption exceeds reference power limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the command timing flexible and adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically calculates the maximum length of overlap operation section based on profile information and adjusts the timing difference between commands accordingly, allowing the system to adapt timing parameters to maintain peak power within reference limits while preserving operation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter (time difference between command execution) to control power consumption. By calculating the maximum overlap length and adjusting the timing difference based on this calculation, the system modifies the execution parameters to ensure peak power remains at or below reference power while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If commands are executed with large time difference, then power consumption is reduced, but operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by storing profile information that records power consumption characteristics for each operation section of commands. The controller references this profile information to calculate the maximum overlap length and determine the optimal timing difference, creating a feedback mechanism that uses historical power consumption data to optimize future command scheduling and minimize both power loss and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing profile information about power consumption characteristics before executing command sequences. The controller uses this pre-prepared information to determine the optimal timing difference in advance, avoiding the need for trial-and-error adjustments during actual operation and thereby reducing both power consumption and operation time.
3Productivity
If overlap operation section is increased, then throughput is improved, but peak power exceeds reference power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the command execution into distinct operation sections with identifiable power consumption characteristics. By segmenting the overlap operation section and analyzing power consumption for each section using profile information, the controller can precisely calculate the maximum overlap length that keeps peak power within reference limits, allowing safe optimization of throughput through controlled overlap.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system containing: a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory dies that each perform a plurality of command operations, and a controller configured to: store, in a preset internal space, profile information for changes in power consumption for each of a operation sections included in each of the command operations, check, from the profile information, the changes in power consumption for each operation section of a first and second command when sequentially propagating the first and second command to the memory dies, calculate, based on the checked changes in power consumption for each operation section, a maximum length of an overlap operation section between the first and second command in which peak power is maintained at or below a first reference power, and adjust, a difference between time points for performing the first and second command based on the calculated maximum length of the overlap operation section.