Memory Device Eye-Opening Monitor Signal Line Merging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for performing an eye-opening monitor (EOM) operation in memory systems are inaccurate due to the use of different signal lines for measurement and actual signal reception, making the measurement process complex and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating a memory device that performs a reliable EOM operation by using the same signal line for both measurement and actual signal reception, eliminating the need for external devices and simplifying the measurement process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different signal lines are used for measurement and actual signal reception, then external devices can be used for measurement, but measurement accuracy deteriorates and the measurement method becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse of external devices for measurementVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the measurement signal line and the actual signal reception line into a single shared signal line. The memory device performs eye-opening monitor operations by receiving both measurement signals and actual signals through the same signal line, eliminating the need for separate measurement infrastructure and ensuring measurement accuracy reflects actual operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If different signal lines are used for measurement and actual signal reception, then measurement can be performed, but the measurement method becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement process simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the measurement function and actual signal reception function into a single signal line operation. The memory device uses the same signal line for both purposes, simplifying the measurement method by eliminating the need for separate measurement signal lines and reducing the complexity of the measurement process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The memory device performs self-measurement of signal quality by using its own signal line to conduct eye-opening monitor operations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external measurement setups and simplifies the overall measurement process while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4002374B1Memory device with eye-opening monitor
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4002374B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4002374B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4002374B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided are an operating method of a host device (100), an operating method of a memory device (200), and a memory system (1). The operating method of a host device (100) includes transmitting a request command for performing an eye-opening monitor (EOM) operation to a memory device (200), transmitting a parameter for performing the EOM operation to the memory device (200), transmitting pattern data for performing the EOM operation to the memory device, (200) and receiving a first response signal including a result of the EOM operation performed based on the parameter and the pattern data from the memory device (200).