Memory Power Ramping Sequence Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory devices often support only a single power ramping sequence, limiting their ability to efficiently manage power usage and retain data during sleep or shutdown modes, which can lead to increased power consumption and potential data loss.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a memory device that supports multiple power ramping sequences, including a bulk off mode, where one power source is turned off during sleep mode while another remains active, allowing for additional power savings and data retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a memory device supports only a single power ramping sequence, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but power management efficiency deteriorates and adaptability to different power scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit is designed to dynamically switch between different power ramping sequences based on operational mode. The circuit can adapt its behavior to support first power ramping sequence for normal operation and second power ramping sequence for bulk off mode, making the system flexible without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both first and second power ramping sequences within a single circuit architecture. This multi-functional design allows the same circuit to handle different power scenarios (normal operation and bulk off mode) without requiring separate dedicated circuits, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
2Loss of energy
If all power sources remain active during sleep mode to ensure data retention, then data retention reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management approach segments the power sources into different groups with different ramping sequences. During bulk off mode, the circuit can selectively ramp down less critical power sources while maintaining power to critical circuits that ensure data retention, thereby reducing overall power consumption without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit performs preliminary actions by pre-charging and pre-discharging specific power sources in defined sequences before mode transitions. This ensures that when bulk off mode is entered, the necessary power sources are already in the correct state to maintain data retention, while unnecessary power sources are already ramped down to minimize power consumption.
3Loss of time
If rapid power ramping is used to reduce transition time, then productivity is improved, but power management precision and control over power consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The power ramping process is divided into periodic stages with different ramp rates. The circuit uses multi-stage ramping where initial stages may use faster ramp rates to reduce transition time, while subsequent stages use slower ramp rates to maintain precision control over power consumption and ensure stable settling of power sources.
Data Source
AI summary
Memory devices are disclosed that support multiple power ramping sequences or modes. For example, a level shifter device is operably connected to a memory macro in a memory device. The level shifter device receives at least one gating signal. Based on a state of the at least one gating signal, the level shifter device outputs one or more signals that cause or control voltage signals in or received by the memory macro to ramp up, ramp down, or ramp up and ramp down according to one or more power ramping modes.