Memory Die Power Management via Selective Enable Decoders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-volatile flash memory technologies consume significant power due to the need to maintain standby state across all memory dies in a stack, with each die consuming approximately 5 mW and the total stack consuming at least 40 mW for an eight die stack, and this power consumption is expected to increase with technological advancements.
Innovation Solution
The technology selectively enables or disables memory dies in a memory array by using a die switch opcode signal to activate only selected memory dies for data operations, employing a die enable decoder block in each memory die to deactivate unselected dies, thereby reducing power consumption and chip footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all memory dies in a stack are maintained in standby state, then all dies are available for immediate data operations, but power consumption increases significantly (approximately 5 mW per die, 40 mW total for eight die stack)
Solution Approach 1:
The memory stack is segmented into individually controllable memory dies, each with its own enable decoder block. This allows selective activation of only those dies needed for current operations, rather than maintaining all dies in a high-power standby state. The segmentation enables granular power management at the die level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of memory dies based on actual demand. The die enable decoder blocks receive control signals that dynamically switch dies between active and inactive states, allowing the memory system to adapt its power consumption to the current operational requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If die stacking is used to increase capacity, then footprint is reduced and performance is improved, but power consumption per package increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacked memory package is divided into independently controllable dies, each capable of being activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high capacity through stacking while reducing power consumption by activating only the necessary number of dies for current operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (power state) of individual dies within the stacked package. By controlling the enable/disable state of each die, the system can optimize the balance between capacity utilization and power consumption based on current workload requirements.
3Productivity
If more memory dies are activated, then data operation capacity increases, but standby power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating all memory dies, the system activates only the partial number of dies needed for current operations. The die enable decoder blocks selectively enable only those dies required for the current data operation, avoiding the excessive power consumption of keeping all dies active.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for selectively activating or deactivating one or more memory of a memory array, such that related data path logic of deactivated memory dies neither detects nor processes control signals or data signals for data operations. Examples of the systems and methods provided herein operate to detect a first enable signal at a memory die and detect a first data signal on input/output (I/O) receivers of the memory die. Responsive to detecting at least the first enable signal, a bit value encoded in the first data signal is latched to obtain a first bit pattern. A second bit pattern is obtained, and, based on a comparison of the first bit pattern to the second bit pattern, the I/O receivers of the memory die are activated.