Memory Redundancy Power Management via Address Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Memory devices that implement redundancy to avoid using defective components consume excess power due to inefficient power management, particularly in distributing targeted memory addresses and powering redundant circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A memory device selectively distributes targeted memory addresses only to sets of repair circuits that are in use and selectively powers down unused components to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If targeted memory addresses are distributed to all repair circuits and power is supplied to all redundant circuitry, then reliability is improved through comprehensive defect coverage, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the repair circuits into multiple groups, where each group is responsible for monitoring a specific portion of memory addresses. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the relevant repair circuit groups when a memory access occurs, rather than distributing addresses to all repair circuits simultaneously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining comprehensive defect coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management by selectively activating repair circuit groups based on the actual memory access patterns. When a memory access occurs, the system dynamically determines which repair circuit group should be activated based on the address range being accessed, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual operational needs rather than maintaining all circuits in a static active state.
2Reliability
If all repair circuits remain powered to ensure immediate defect detection, then reliability is improved, but leakage current increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of repair circuit groups based on memory access events. Instead of keeping all repair circuits continuously powered, the system periodically activates only the relevant repair circuit group when a memory access occurs, allowing other groups to remain in a low-power state. This periodic action maintains defect detection capability while significantly reducing overall leakage current.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates the power supply to individual repair circuit groups, allowing the system to selectively power only the necessary groups. By taking out the power supply connection from inactive repair circuit groups and providing it only to active groups, the system reduces leakage current while maintaining the ability to detect defects in all memory regions when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for efficient power scheme for redundancy are described. A memory device may include circuitry that stores memory address information related to one or more defective or unreliable memory components and that compares memory address information to memory addresses targeted for memory access operations. The memory device may selectively distribute a targeted memory address to one or more circuits within the circuitry based on whether those circuits store memory address information. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may selectively power one or more circuits within the circuitry based on whether those circuits store memory address information.