Memory Interface Circuit Impedance Matching and Command Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory systems face challenges in efficiently controlling interface circuits for data communication between memory controllers and semiconductor memories, leading to potential malfunctions and reliability issues due to impedance mismatch and data transmission errors.
Innovation Solution
The proposed memory system includes an interface circuit that performs on-die termination, ZQ calibration, and driving force control operations, blocking command sets intended for the interface circuit from being transmitted to the semiconductor memory to prevent malfunctions, thereby ensuring reliable data communication by matching impedances and adjusting driving forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the interface circuit receives and processes command sets, then data communication between controller and semiconductor memory is enabled, but command set transmission errors and impedance mismatches occur leading to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The interface circuit acts as an intermediary component between the controller and semiconductor memory, performing impedance matching and command set filtering to prevent harmful factors from affecting data communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The interface circuit changes impedance parameters dynamically to match signal transmission requirements, adjusting termination resistance and driving strength to eliminate impedance mismatches and transmission errors
2Reliability
If the interface circuit performs on-die termination and ZQ calibration operations, then impedance matching is improved, but command sets intended for the interface circuit are transmitted to the semiconductor memory causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The interface circuit segments command sets into different types (interface control commands vs. memory commands) and processes them separately, blocking interface control commands from being transmitted to the semiconductor memory while allowing memory commands to pass through
Solution Approach 2:
The interface circuit serves as a mediator that filters and blocks harmful command sets from reaching the semiconductor memory while still enabling necessary data communication functions
3Reliability
If the interface circuit blocks command sets from transmission to semiconductor memory, then malfunctions are prevented, but data transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The interface circuit applies partial blocking action by selectively blocking only harmful command sets while allowing beneficial data transmission commands to pass through, maintaining transmission efficiency while preventing malfunctions
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology includes a memory system and a method of operating the memory system. The memory system includes a memory device including an interface circuit and a semiconductor memory, and a controller configured to generate a command set in response to a host command and output the command set to the memory device. The interface circuit is configured to: receive the command set, transmit the received command set to the semiconductor memory, when the received command set corresponds to the semiconductor memory, perform a blocking operation so that the received command set is not transmitted to the semiconductor memory, when the received command set corresponds to the interface circuit, and perform an on-die termination operation, a ZQ calibration operation, or a driving force control operation of the interface circuit in response to the received command set corresponding to the interface circuit.