Memory Power Control Circuit for Backup Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As memory systems increase in storage capacity, the amount of backup power required for nonvolatile data storage during power interruptions also increases, necessitating larger power storage devices, which contradicts the desire for reduced cost and miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a power control circuit that manages power distribution using a power storage device to supply backup power, allowing controlled voltage application and cessation to semiconductor components, prioritizing nonvolatile data processing during power interruptions, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the size of the power storage device is increased to provide more backup power for nonvolatile data storage, then the amount of backup power increases, but the system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power control circuit proactively manages power distribution before power interruption occurs, pre-positioning power resources to critical components and preemptively shutting down non-essential functions. This preliminary action ensures that limited backup power is optimally allocated when needed most, maximizing the effective backup power capacity without requiring larger storage devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments power distribution into priority levels, dividing components into essential (nonvolatile memory) and non-essential categories. The power control circuit independently manages power supply to each segment, ensuring critical components receive adequate power while non-critical components are shut down. This segmentation allows the system to maximize backup power utilization for data protection without requiring the power storage device to support full system power consumption.
2Reliability
If the size of the power storage device is increased to provide more backup power, then data protection capability improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power control circuit implements self-service by autonomously monitoring system state and managing power distribution without external intervention. Upon detecting power interruption, it automatically prioritizes power allocation to nonvolatile memory components and shuts down other components, ensuring data protection capability is maintained through intelligent self-management rather than requiring larger, more expensive power storage hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by adjusting power supply voltage and current distribution based on system state. During normal operation, full power is supplied to all components. Upon power interruption detection, the power control circuit changes parameters to provide elevated power priority to nonvolatile memory while reducing or eliminating power to other components, thereby maintaining data protection capability with limited backup power resources at lower cost.
3Ease of operation
If power is continuously supplied to all components during power interruption, then component operation is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power control circuit implements dynamic power management by continuously adapting power distribution based on real-time system state and component priority. Rather than maintaining static power supply to all components, the system dynamically shifts power allocation toward high-priority nonvolatile memory components while reducing power to lower-priority components, achieving operational continuity for critical functions while minimizing overall power consumption during interruption events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by providing full power only to essential components (nonvolatile memory) and reduced or zero power to non-essential components during power interruption. This selective partial power supply maintains operation of critical data protection functions while accepting temporary suspension of non-critical operations, thereby achieving necessary operational continuity with significantly reduced power consumption from limited backup power sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach minimizes power consumption during power loss, enabling smaller power storage devices and maintaining efficient nonvolatile data processing, thus reducing the overall system size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage device configured to be able to supply second power to the power control circuit while the first power from the external power supply is interrupted
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes: a first nonvolatile memory; a second volatile memory; a controller; a power control circuit configured to perform control such that a first voltage is applied to the first memory, the second memory, and the controller based on first power supplied from an external power supply; and a power storage device configured to supply second power to the power control circuit while the first power from the external power supply is interrupted. While the first power supplied from outside is interrupted, the power control circuit applies a second voltage based on the second power supplied from the power storage device to the first memory, the second memory, and the controller. The power control circuit stops the application of the second voltage to the second memory after the data is read from the second memory and before the data is written into the first memory.