Memory Interface Gear Switching for Power-Latency Balance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for setting gear modes in memory interfaces based on command frequency lead to increased power consumption and latency due to suboptimal data transfer rates, especially during infrequent large data transfers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a gear management system that adjusts the data transfer rate based on parameters such as command size, queue depth, and historical communication patterns to dynamically switch between low and high gears, optimizing power consumption and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the interface operates at a low data transfer rate to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but latency increases and system performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The interface dynamically adjusts its data transfer rate between low and high gears based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors parameters such as command size, queue depth, and historical communication patterns, then switches between low-power mode (first gear) and high-performance mode (second gear) to optimize the trade-off between power consumption and latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the interface by switching between different gear modes with distinct data transfer rates. The controller modifies the interface configuration to operate at a first data transfer rate for power efficiency or a second data transfer rate for performance, based on evaluated system conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the interface operates at a high data transfer rate to reduce latency, then system performance improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The interface dynamically adjusts its data transfer rate between low and high gears based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors parameters such as command size, queue depth, and historical communication patterns, then switches between low-power mode (first gear) and high-performance mode (second gear) to optimize the trade-off between power consumption and latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the interface by switching between different gear modes with distinct data transfer rates. The controller modifies the interface configuration to operate at a first data transfer rate for power efficiency or a second data transfer rate for performance, based on evaluated system conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If gear mode is set based on command frequency, then power consumption is reduced, but performance suffers during infrequent large data transfers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller uses feedback from multiple parameters including command size, queue depth, and historical communication patterns to make informed decisions about gear mode selection. This multi-parameter feedback mechanism prevents premature switching to low-power mode when large data transfers are anticipated, maintaining both power efficiency and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of command parameters before executing data transfers. By assessing command size, queue depth, and historical patterns in advance, the controller can proactively select the appropriate gear mode, ensuring high-performance mode is activated before large data transfers begin rather than reacting after performance degradation occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260056663A1Rate adjustments for a memory interface

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for rate adjustments for a memory interface are described. A host system may communicate with a memory system via an interface according to multiple data transfer rates. For example, the host system may configure the interface to operate according to a first rate. The host system may switch the interface from the first rate to a second rate in response to one or more commands from the host system satisfying one or more parameters such as a threshold quantity of data associated with a command, a threshold quantity of issued commands associated with at least the threshold quantity of data, a threshold quantity of issued and unexecuted commands, or any combination thereof. Based on the switching, the host system may communicate with the memory system via the interface in accordance with the second rate.