Memory Die Peak Power Control With Dual Data Channels

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory sub-systems face challenges in managing high peak power consumption during concurrent memory access operations, leading to inefficiencies and potential limitations in the number of dies that can be operated simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dual data channel peak power management (PPM) with a token-based round robin protocol and an auxiliary data channel to manage power consumption and communicate auxiliary data asynchronously, using a digital filter to prevent spurious deactivations during peak power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If concurrent memory access operations are performed across multiple dies, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory access throughputVSAvoidpeak power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a token-based periodic arbitration mechanism where a token circulates among dies in a round-robin fashion, enabling periodic allocation of high-current access permissions. This periodic action distributes peak power demands across different time slots rather than allowing simultaneous peaks, thus maintaining high productivity while controlling instantaneous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which dies can perform high-current operations based on real-time power budget availability and token possession. The arbitration mechanism allows the system to dynamically enable or disable concurrent accesses across different dies, optimizing the balance between productivity and power consumption according to current system conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a single data channel is used for PPM communication, then device complexity is reduced, but communication accuracy and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata channel structureVSAvoiddata burst communication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data communication function into two distinct channels: the HC# data channel for primary PPM token and control signal transmission, and the RB# data channel for auxiliary data and status information. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific purpose, improving overall communication reliability while maintaining manageable device complexity through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary data channel acts as an intermediary that carries additional information and confirmation signals alongside the primary PPM communication. This intermediary channel provides redundancy and verification capabilities, enhancing the reliability of data burst communications without requiring a complete redesign of the core PPM mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260030157A1Dual data channel peak power management

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A memory device includes a memory array and control logic, operatively coupled with the memory array, to perform operations including identifying auxiliary data associated with a peak power management (PPM) protocol, wherein the auxiliary data is different from PPM data communicated using a high current signal data channel, and causing the auxiliary data to be communicated to at least one memory die using an auxiliary data channel.