Memory Module Buffer Control Circuit Latency Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for large storage capacities and processing speed in memory devices, particularly in mobile communication terminals and data-intensive applications, poses challenges in maintaining stability and reducing latency and errors in memory modules with stacked memory chips.
Innovation Solution
A memory module configuration that includes data buffers, a buffer control signal generation circuit, a command delay circuit, a data processing circuit, and a command buffer circuit, which synchronize data transfer and command operations to match latency and error correction, ensuring stable operation and increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple memory devices are stacked to increase storage capacity, then the storage capacity of the memory module is improved, but the latency and stability of data transfer deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The command delay circuit performs preliminary delay of commands before they reach the memory devices, and the data buffers perform preliminary reception and transmission of data. This preliminary action synchronizes the timing between commands and data transfer operations, reducing latency issues that arise from stacking multiple memory devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Data buffers are introduced as intermediary components between the memory controller and stacked memory devices. These buffers receive write data from the controller and transmit read data back, acting as mediators that decouple the timing between controller operations and memory device operations, thereby reducing transfer latency in high-capacity configurations.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple memory devices are stacked to increase storage capacity, then the storage capacity of the memory module is improved, but the stability of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer control signal generation circuit generates control signals based on received commands to coordinate the operation of multiple data buffers. This feedback mechanism ensures that each buffer operates synchronously with the command timing, maintaining operational stability even as storage capacity increases through device stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
Commands are delayed in advance by the command delay circuit before being sent to memory devices, and data buffers perform preliminary data reception and transmission. This preliminary timing adjustment ensures synchronized operation across all stacked devices, preventing timing conflicts that would compromise operational stability.
3Productivity
If data buffers are added to receive and transmit data, then the data transfer capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data buffers perform multiple functions: they receive write data from the memory controller, transmit read data to the memory controller, and are controlled by buffer control signals generated from commands. This multi-functionality improves data transfer capability while minimizing the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby controlling overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory module includes memory devices; data buffers suitable for receiving write data transferred from a memory controller and transmitting read data to the memory controller; a buffer control signal generation circuit suitable for generating buffer control signals for controlling the data buffers, by using a command transferred from the memory controller; a command delay circuit suitable for generating an effective command by delaying the command by a delay amount of the buffer control signal generation circuit in a read operation and a write operation; a data processing circuit suitable for processing write data transferred from the data buffers and transferring processed write data to the memory devices, and processing read data transferred from the memory devices and transferring processed read data to the data buffers, in response to the effective command; and a command buffer circuit suitable for transferring the effective command to the memory devices.