Nonvolatile Memory Operation Recorder for Power Interruption Recovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nonvolatile memory devices face challenges in maintaining operation performance and recording operation information when power is interrupted, leading to instability and data loss.

Innovation Solution

A nonvolatile memory device architecture that includes a memory cell array, peripheral circuit, operation recorder, and control logic, operating at different voltages, allowing the operation recorder to record and retain operation information even when the memory cell array and peripheral circuit are powered off, enabling accurate status checking and recovery upon power restoration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the memory cell array and peripheral circuit are powered off to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but operation information is lost and system reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperation information retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system into two independent voltage domains: a first voltage for the memory cell array and peripheral circuit, and a second voltage for the operation recorder. This segmentation allows the operation recorder to maintain power independently while the memory system can be powered off, resolving the contradiction between energy saving and information retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operation recorder acts as an intermediary component that captures and stores operation information from the memory cell array and peripheral circuit. This intermediary preserves operation data even when the main memory system is powered off, enabling reliable status checking without continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the operation recorder operates continuously at the second voltage to record operation information, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidvoltage management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation recorder is designed with multi-functionality: it records operation information, maintains power independently through the second voltage, and enables post-power-off status checking. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single component, reducing overall system complexity despite the dual-voltage architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11748025B2Nonvolatile memory device, data storage device including the same and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 MIMIRIP LLC

AI summary

A nonvolatile memory device may include: a memory cell array operated by a first voltage, and including a plurality of memory cells; a peripheral circuit operated by the first voltage, and configured to store data in the memory cell array or read data from the memory cell array; an operation recorder operated by a second voltage, and configured to record information on an operation being performed in the nonvolatile memory device; and a control logic operated by the first voltage, and configured to control the peripheral circuit such that the nonvolatile memory device performs an operation corresponding to a command received from an external device, and control the operation recorder to store the information on the operation being performed in the nonvolatile memory device.