Memory Refresh Control Circuit Redundancy Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor memory devices, repeated access to certain memory cells can cause data degradation in nearby cells due to electromagnetic coupling, and existing refresh methods may unnecessarily increase power consumption and risk damage by refreshing defective or unused word lines.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi pump refresh operation that checks redundancy information before each refresh, allowing targeted and auto refresh operations to be performed efficiently, thereby skipping refreshes on defective or unused word lines and reducing the risk of damage and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refresh operations are performed on all word lines, then data retention is improved, but power consumption increases and defective word lines may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of word lines based on their status. Active word lines receive refresh operations to maintain data retention, while inactive or defective word lines are identified and excluded from refresh operations. This selective approach ensures that refresh resources are concentrated where needed (active memory cells) rather than uniformly applied to all word lines, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption and avoiding potential damage to defective lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by checking the status of word lines before performing refresh operations. The system预先 identifies which word lines are active and which are inactive or defective, and uses this information to determine the refresh strategy. This preliminary classification allows the system to avoid refreshing inactive or defective word lines, thus preventing unnecessary power consumption and potential damage while still maintaining data retention for active word lines.
2Reliability
If refresh operations are performed on all word lines, then data retention is improved, but the risk of damage to defective word lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of word lines based on their status. Active word lines receive refresh operations to maintain data retention, while inactive or defective word lines are identified and excluded from refresh operations. This selective approach ensures that refresh resources are concentrated where needed (active memory cells) rather than uniformly applied to all word lines, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption and avoiding potential damage to defective lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by checking the status of word lines before performing refresh operations. The system预先 identifies which word lines are active and which are inactive or defective, and uses this information to determine the refresh strategy. This preliminary classification allows the system to avoid refreshing inactive or defective word lines, thus preventing unnecessary power consumption and potential damage while still maintaining data retention for active word lines.
3Use of energy by moving object
If redundancy information is checked before each refresh, then power consumption is reduced, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by checking the status of word lines before performing refresh operations. The system预先 identifies which word lines are active and which are inactive or defective, and uses this information to determine the refresh strategy. This preliminary classification allows the system to avoid refreshing inactive or defective word lines, thus preventing unnecessary power consumption and potential damage while still maintaining data retention for active word lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing redundancy information that is already stored in the memory system. Instead of requiring complex external monitoring or testing mechanisms, the system uses its own internal redundancy data structures to identify active versus inactive word lines. This self-service approach allows the memory system to autonomously determine which word lines require refresh operations, reducing the need for additional complex control circuitry while still achieving power savings.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses methods for checking redundancy information for row addresses prior to performing various refresh operations, such as auto refresh and targeted refresh operations. In some examples, refresh operations may be multi pump refresh operations. In some examples, a targeted refresh operation may be performed prior to an auto refresh operation responsive to a multi pump refresh operation. In some examples, redundancy information for the auto refresh operation may be performed, at least in part, during the targeted refresh operation. In some examples, refresh operations on word lines may be skipped when the redundancy information indicates the word line is defective or unused.