Memory Die Staggered Execution Under Peak Current Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concurrent execution of high power-consuming sub-operations in memory devices leads to excessive current consumption, resulting in delays and inefficient use of power budget, particularly in multi-die memory systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing staggered execution of sub-operations in memory devices, where the start of subsequent sub-operations is delayed based on the current consumption profile of ongoing operations, ensuring concurrent execution without exceeding the maximum available power budget.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concurrent execution of sub-operations is implemented to improve productivity, then throughput increases, but current consumption exceeds the power budget
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by executing sub-operations in alternating phases across different memory dies rather than concurrently. The controller coordinates dies to operate in staggered cycles, where one die executes a sub-operation while another dies waits, then they swap roles. This periodic alternation maintains continuous productivity while ensuring current consumption at any moment stays within the power budget, as only one high-current operation occurs at a time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If staggered execution is implemented to reduce current consumption, then power budget compliance is achieved, but execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the memory die set into multiple groups that can execute sub-operations in parallel stages. Instead of strictly sequential execution, the controller segments the workload across dies with staggered start times, allowing pipelined execution where different dies work on different sub-operations simultaneously. This segmentation reduces total execution time compared to pure serialization while maintaining power budget compliance through coordinated timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The implementation uses dynamic scheduling where the controller adjusts the staggering intervals and phase shifts between dies based on real-time power budget availability and operation priorities. The staggered execution timing is not fixed but dynamically optimized to minimize total execution time while ensuring current consumption never exceeds the power budget, adapting to varying workload characteristics and power conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory die includes a memory array and control logic, operatively coupled with the memory array, to perform operations including initiating, at a first time, a first sub-operation of a first memory access operation on a first memory die of multiple memory dies, where the first sub-operation includes a first high current phase having a first duration. At the first time, a time counter is initiated. At a second time prior to completion of the first high current phase, a request to execute a second sub-operation of a second memory access operation on a second memory die of the plurality of memory dies is identified. At a third time when the time counter equals the first duration, the second sub-operation of the second memory access operation on the second memory die is initiated, where a total current used during concurrent execution of the first sub-operation and the second sub-operation is less than a current budget.