Memory Logic Unit Enumeration via Shared ID Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing density of logic units in memory devices, particularly in stacked configurations, poses challenges in efficiently accessing and routing signals without the need for a large number of addressing pads and complex connection patterns, leading to manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control logic and reporting unit within each logic unit to manage identification and indexing through a race mechanism, allowing unique identifiers to be sequentially driven to a control interface, reducing the need for multiple addressing pads by using an open-drain coupling and comparator circuitry to determine matching bits, and storing indices in non-volatile or volatile registers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large number of logic units are stacked in a vertical structure to increase storage density, then storage capacity increases, but the number of addressing pads and connection patterns increases, leading to manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple logic units share a common control interface and reporting pin, merging what would traditionally require separate addressing pads into a single shared resource. The control logic of each logic unit independently drives its identifier bits to the shared reporting pin, eliminating the need for individual addressing pads for each logic unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The reporting pin serves multiple functions: it acts as a shared output for identifier bits from multiple logic units, a comparison interface with the control interface, and a selection mechanism through the race condition. This multi-functional use of the reporting pin replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated addressing pads.
2Ease of operation
If traditional addressing pads are used for each logic unit, then access to each logic unit is straightforward, but the number of pads and routing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface and reporting pin are merged into a shared communication channel that serves all logic units. Instead of having dedicated pads for each logic unit, the system uses a single shared interface where logic units take turns asserting their identifiers through the common reporting pin.
Solution Approach 2:
The enumeration process operates periodically through multiple iterations, with each iteration allowing one logic unit to assert its identifier bits. The control interface sequentially receives bits across iterations, comparing them against the stored identifier to determine which logic unit should be accessed.
3Device complexity
If unique identifiers are driven to a shared control interface using a race mechanism, then the number of addressing pads is reduced, but the identification process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each logic unit's control logic independently drives its own identifier bits to the reporting pin and performs the comparison with the control interface. The logic unit self-identifies by asserting its bits and determining whether they match the target identifier, eliminating the need for external complex identification circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The control logic receives feedback from the control interface regarding whether its driven bits match the target identifier. Based on this feedback, the control logic determines whether to continue participating in the enumeration process or to stop, creating a self-regulating identification mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Semiconductor devices, methods, and memory systems for managing logic units are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a logic unit associated with an identifier (ID). The logic unit includes a control logic and a reporting unit coupled to the control logic. The semiconductor device also includes a control interface coupled to the reporting unit. The control logic is configured to: receive, from the control interface, an enumeration command in an iteration; drive, using the reporting unit, one or more bits of the ID to the control interface; and in response to determining that a received bit from the control interface mismatches a driven bit of the ID, stop driving one or more additional bits of the ID to the control interface.