Volatile Memory Refresh Controller with Hidden Refresh Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
As memory modules become increasingly high-capacity and integrated, managing the refresh operations for volatile memory devices becomes complex, leading to decreased efficiency in data processing due to the increased number of refresh commands, which can collide with write or read operations.
Innovation Solution
A volatile memory device with a refresh controller that performs hidden refresh operations on a portion of memory cells while performing valid operations on another portion, generating refresh information based on the frequency of these operations, allowing the memory controller to schedule regular refresh operations efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of refresh commands increases to manage high-capacity memory modules, then the memory capacity is improved, but the data processing efficiency deteriorates due to command collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device performs hidden refresh operations in advance during idle periods within the same reference time, before the regular refresh deadline is reached. This preliminary action ensures that refresh requirements are met without waiting for external refresh commands, thereby preventing command collisions and maintaining high data processing efficiency while supporting high-capacity memory modules
2Ease of operation
If the memory device performs regular refresh operations according to external commands, then the refresh control is simplified, but the data processing efficiency deteriorates due to command collisions with write or read operations
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device autonomously performs hidden refresh operations without requiring external refresh commands from the memory controller. The refresh controller internally monitors the refresh status and executes refresh operations independently during idle periods, making the system self-sufficient for refresh management and eliminating command collisions with data processing operations
3Productivity
If the memory device performs hidden refresh operations autonomously, then the data processing efficiency is improved by reducing command collisions, but the device complexity increases due to the refresh information generator and hidden refresh control
Solution Approach 1:
The refresh control functionality is merged with the existing refresh controller that is already present in the memory device for regular refresh operations. The refresh information generator is integrated into the refresh control logic, combining multiple functions into a unified control structure that manages both regular and hidden refresh operations without requiring completely separate control circuits, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
4Device complexity
If the refresh operation is performed periodically without hidden refresh, then the device complexity is minimized, but the loss of time increases due to command collisions with write or read operations
Solution Approach 1:
The hidden refresh operation performs refresh actions in advance during idle periods within the reference time, before the regular refresh deadline. This preliminary execution of refresh operations eliminates the need for separate refresh commands that would collide with data processing operations, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining relatively simple device complexity by utilizing existing refresh controller infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A volatile memory device includes a refresh controller configured to control a hidden refresh operation performed on a first portion of memory cells while a valid operation is performed on a second portion of the memory cells. The volatile memory device is configured to perform a regular refresh operation in response to receiving a refresh command. The refresh controller is configured to generate refresh information using a performance indicator of the hidden refresh operation during a first part of a reference time. The volatile memory device is configured to perform a desired number of the regular refresh operation during a remaining part of the reference time based on the refresh information. The desired number of the regular refresh operation is an integer based on a difference between a target number of refresh operations during the reference time and a count value of the hidden refresh operation during the reference time.