Memory Module Serial-to-Parallel Interface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for processing large volumes of data in mobile communication devices and sensor networks requires enhanced memory module capacity and data transfer rates, while existing technologies face challenges in simplifying structure and reducing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A memory module design that includes a front interface for serial-to-parallel conversion of commands, addresses, and data, a module controller for error correction, and a memory device with reduced operation frequency, utilizing a DDR PHY Interface and multiple buses to increase data transfer lines and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of data transfer lines between host memory controller and memory device is increased to handle large data volumes, then data transfer capacity is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a front interface that segments the data transfer path into two distinct stages: serial transfer from host memory controller to front interface, then parallel transfer from front interface to memory device. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high data transfer capacity through parallelism at the memory device interface while maintaining simpler connectivity at the host interface, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The front interface acts as an intermediary component between the host memory controller and the memory device. It performs serial-to-parallel conversion of data, commands, and addresses, enabling the system to bridge the gap between serial host interface and parallel memory device interface. This intermediary approach allows high-capacity parallel data transfer to memory devices while maintaining compatibility with standard serial host interfaces, thus improving data transfer capacity without directly increasing the complexity of host-memory device connectivity
2Productivity
If the operation frequency of memory device is increased to improve data transfer rate, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing different operation frequencies for different components: the host memory controller operates at a higher frequency for serial data reception, while the memory device operates at a lower frequency for parallel data processing. The front interface performs frequency conversion and data parallelization, allowing the memory device to achieve high effective data transfer rates through parallelism rather than high frequency operation, thus improving productivity while reducing power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A memory module includes: a front interface suitable for performing a serial-to-parallel conversion of a command, an address, and data that are received from a host memory controller; a module controller suitable for communicating with the host memory controller through the front interface; and a memory device suitable for receiving the command and the address from the module controller and transferring and receiving data to and from the module controller. The number of lines for transferring the command, the address, and the data between the host memory controller and the front interface is greater than the number of lines for transferring the command, the address, and the data between the module controller and the memory device.