Memory Refresh Voltage Adjustment for Pending Refresh Bursts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Performing multiple make-up refresh operations within a short time period strains the power delivery network of memory devices, leading to voltage droop and potential performance degradation or errors.
Innovation Solution
A memory device determines the quantity of pending refresh operations and communicates a target voltage to a power management component, which adjusts the supply voltage accordingly to prepare for and mitigate the increased power demand during make-up refresh operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple make-up refresh operations are performed within a short time period, then the refresh operations are completed, but the power delivery network is strained causing voltage droop
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device performs preliminary actions by determining the quantity of pending refresh operations before executing the make-up refresh operations. Based on this determination, the memory device proactively communicates a target voltage to the power management component, which adjusts the supply voltage in advance. This preliminary voltage adjustment prepares the power delivery network to handle the upcoming high-power demand, preventing voltage droop before it occurs.
2Reliability
If supply voltage is increased to prepare for make-up refresh operations, then voltage stability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the supply voltage based on the actual quantity of pending refresh operations. The memory device communicates a target voltage to the power management component, which modulates the supply voltage level according to the determined quantity. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the voltage is increased only to the extent necessary to handle the pending operations, avoiding excessive power consumption while maintaining adequate voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management component changes the supply voltage parameter based on the target voltage communicated by the memory device. The target voltage is determined based on the quantity of pending refresh operations, allowing the system to adjust the voltage parameter dynamically. This parameter change enables the power delivery network to adapt to varying power demands, maintaining voltage stability during make-up refresh operations while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for voltage adjustment based on, for example, pending refresh operations are described. A memory device may periodically perform refresh operations to refresh volatile memory cells and may at times postpone performing one or more refresh operations. A memory device may determine a quantity of pending (e.g., postponed) refresh operations, such as by determining a quantity of refresh intervals that have elapsed without receiving or executing a refresh command, among other methods. A memory device may pre-emptively adjust (or cause to be adjusted) a supply voltage associated with the memory device or memory device component based on the quantity of pending refresh operations to prepare for the current demand associated with the performing the one or more pending refresh operations. For example, the memory device may increase a supply voltage associated with one or more components to prepare for performing multiple pending refresh operations.