Semiconductor Memory Refresh Control via Temperature Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor memory devices for mobile products consume excessive power due to constant refresh operations, which are not effectively controlled by temperature variations, leading to inefficient data retention and increased current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor memory device equipped with a temperature sensor that generates signals to adjust the refresh operation frequency based on temperature, reducing the number of refresh addresses at low temperatures and increasing them at high temperatures to optimize current consumption and data retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refresh operation is performed constantly regardless of temperature, then data retention is maintained, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the refresh operation frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The refresh frequency is dynamically changed based on temperature conditions through the temperature sensor and control logic, allowing the system to adapt between low-frequency refresh at low temperatures and high-frequency refresh at high temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between data retention and current consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of refresh frequency according to temperature variations. The control unit modifies the refresh operation parameters based on signals from the temperature sensor, adjusting the number of refresh addresses counted and the refresh cycle period to match environmental conditions, thereby optimizing both data retention and energy consumption
2Reliability
If refresh frequency is increased to reduce probability of refresh fail, then data retention reliability improves, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the refresh frequency parameter based on temperature conditions. At high temperatures, the control unit increases the refresh frequency by counting more refresh addresses and reducing the refresh period, which improves refresh operation reliability. At low temperatures, the refresh frequency is decreased to reduce current consumption, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter adaptation
3Use of energy by moving object
If refresh frequency is decreased to reduce current consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but data retention reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the refresh frequency parameter to temperature conditions. At low temperatures, the control unit decreases the refresh frequency by counting fewer refresh addresses and extending the refresh period, which reduces current consumption. Meanwhile, at high temperatures, the refresh frequency is increased to maintain data retention reliability, thus resolving the contradiction through environmental-based parameter adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor memory device includes a temperature sensor configured to generate a low-temperature signal which is enabled at below first set temperature and a high-temperature signal which is enabled at above second set temperature; a start signal generator configured to receive a refresh command and generate a start signal according to the low-temperature signal; and an address counter configured to count refresh addresses in response to the start signal.