Memory Controller Toggle Minimization for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing memory controllers experience high input/output power consumption during data transmission to and from non-volatile memory devices due to increased toggles per bit in scrambled data, leading to inefficiencies in data writing and potential bit-flip errors.
Innovation Solution
A memory controller is designed with a scrambler to generate multiple scrambled data sets by randomizing original data, a toggle counter to count toggles per bit, and a scrambled data output unit to select and write the data with the minimum number of toggles to a non-volatile memory, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is scrambled by randomization to prevent bit-flip errors, then reliability is improved, but input/output power consumption increases due to increased toggles per bit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of scrambled data by generating multiple versions with different randomization seeds and selecting the one with minimum toggles per bit. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by adjusting the randomization characteristics to reduce power consumption while maintaining error prevention benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by generating multiple scrambled data versions in advance, counting their toggles, and selecting the optimal one before actual data transmission. This preliminary selection process ensures low power consumption is achieved without compromising reliability during the actual write operation
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple scrambled data are generated and compared to find minimum toggles, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller is segmented into distinct functional modules: a scrambler unit for generating scrambled data, a toggle counter unit for counting transitions, and a selector unit for choosing the optimal data. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing functions into manageable, specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle counter acts as an intermediary component that bridges the scrambler and selector units. It provides the necessary metric (toggle count) that enables the selector to make an informed decision, thus managing the complexity of comparing multiple scrambled data versions
Data Source
AI summary
A memory controller and a storage device including the same are provided. The memory controller generates a plurality of scrambled data by randomizing input data, counts the number of toggles per bit of each scrambled data, and writes one scrambled data with a smallest number of toggles in a non-volatile memory.