Memory Module Voltage Regulation for External Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices face challenges in providing tightly-controlled power supply potentials, which are costly for host device manufacturers due to the need for precise voltage regulation, and this limitation extends to other devices connected to the motherboard.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a voltage regulator or power management integrated circuit (PMIC) within the memory module to generate and regulate power supply potentials, allowing these modules to supply tightly-controlled voltages to both internal memory devices and external components like CPUs, GPUs, and expansion cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage regulation is performed externally by host device manufacturers, then power supply potentials can be tightly controlled, but manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation function is extracted from the host device and relocated to the memory module itself. The memory module now contains its own voltage regulator that generates tightly-controlled power supply potentials independently, eliminating the need for the host device manufacturer to provide precise voltage regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory module becomes self-sufficient by incorporating its own voltage regulation capability. It generates and regulates its own power supply potentials without relying on external voltage regulation from the host device, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining voltage precision.
2Reliability
If the motherboard provides tight voltage regulation for all connected devices, then power supply stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation function is segmented from the motherboard and assigned to individual memory modules. Each memory module with voltage regulation capability becomes an independent unit that manages its own power supply, reducing the overall complexity of the motherboard while maintaining power supply stability for connected devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory module is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as memory storage and as a voltage regulation source for external devices. This allows the same component to provide both memory functionality and power supply stability, reducing the need for separate voltage regulation infrastructure on the motherboard.
Data Source
AI summary
Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems in which a memory device can include a voltage regulator for adjusting a supply voltage to an output voltage and providing the output voltage to other devices external to the memory device (e.g., other memory devices in the same memory system, processors, graphics chipsets, other logic circuits, expansion cards, etc.). A memory device may comprise one or more external inputs configured to receive a supply voltage having a first voltage level; a voltage regulator configured to receive the supply voltage from the one or more external inputs and to output an output voltage having a second voltage level different from the first voltage level; one or more memories configured to receive the output voltage from the voltage regulator; and one or more external outputs configured to supply the output voltage to one or more connected devices.