Memory Device Power Mode Control via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static random access memory (SRAM) devices face challenges in detailed power management, particularly as capacity increases, leading to higher power consumption, and existing methods cannot control power modes effectively for each memory chip within a block, limiting power saving capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with a memory block comprising multiple memory chips, an access address decoder, a memory power mode controller, and a voltage/clock controller, which decodes access addresses, switches power modes based on idle time thresholds, and controls cell voltage and clock signals to optimize power usage by switching individual memory chips to low power or retention modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power management is implemented at the memory block level, then power control is simplified, but power saving capability is insufficient because all chips in the block must be turned off together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory block into multiple independently controllable memory chips, each with its own power mode controller. This segmentation allows individual chips to be activated or deactivated based on access patterns, enabling fine-grained power management that balances operational simplicity with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Each memory chip is assigned a dedicated power mode controller that independently manages its power state based on local access requirements. This local quality approach allows different chips within the same block to operate at different power levels simultaneously, optimizing the balance between ease of control and power savings.
2Loss of energy
If all memory chips in a block are turned off to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but access time increases due to reactivation delays
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the memory block into independently controllable chips with individual power mode controllers, the system can deactivate only unused chips while keeping frequently accessed chips active. This reduces the number of chips that need to be reactivated during access, thereby reducing access time while maintaining power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The power mode controller proactively activates memory chips in advance based on predicted access patterns or recent access history. This preliminary action ensures that chips are already in the active state when needed, reducing access time while maintaining power efficiency by keeping only necessary chips active rather than all chips.
3Device complexity
If power mode switching is implemented without considering access patterns, then power management is simplified, but power saving effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power mode controller continuously monitors access patterns of memory chips and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust power modes. By analyzing access history and predicting future access patterns, the system can intelligently switch chips between active and power-down states, maximizing power saving effectiveness without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each memory chip autonomously reports its access status to the power mode controller, which automatically manages power modes based on this information. This self-service mechanism simplifies power management by eliminating the need for external micromanagement while achieving effective power savings through automated, pattern-based decision making.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device, including a memory block including a plurality of memory chips; an access address decoder configured to: decode an access address based on a memory access request, and output a chip selection signal indicating whether an access request has occurred in units of memory chips based on the decoded access address; a memory power mode controller configured to: read the chip selection signal, based on the access request having not occurred for a first memory chip for a predetermined period, control a power mode of the first memory chip to be a low power mode, and based on the access request having occurred for a second memory chip within the predetermined period, control a power mode of the second memory chip to be a normal mode; and a memory chip power controller configuration register configured to store setting information for controlling the power mode.