Memory Device Sub-Word Line Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the size of the page in a memory device increases, current consumption during active operations also increases due to the increased number of memory cells coupled to the bit line when a main word line is activated, leading to inefficiencies in power usage.
Innovation Solution
The memory device incorporates a configuration with multiple cell mats, first and second drivers arranged on either side to drive sub-word lines, allowing selective activation of sub-word lines in odd-numbered or even-numbered columns, thereby reducing current consumption during active operations while enabling larger page sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the page size is increased, then the memory device can store and access more data efficiently, but current consumption during active operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell array is divided into multiple cell mats (first cell mat, second cell mat, etc.), each with its own dedicated drivers. This segmentation allows the memory device to activate only specific cell mats corresponding to the required data, rather than activating all cell mats in a large page. Consequently, the page size can be increased while current consumption remains controlled by activating only necessary segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic activation of cell mats based on the actual data access requirements. The first drivers and second drivers selectively activate cell mats in odd-numbered or even-numbered columns during active operations. This dynamic approach enables the system to handle larger pages by activating only the required cell mats, thereby maintaining efficient power usage.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of memory cells coupled to bit line is increased, then the page size increases, but current consumption during active operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cell array into multiple cell mats with separate drivers, the system can couple memory cells from only the required cell mats to the bit line during active operations. This segmentation prevents all memory cells in a large page from being simultaneously activated, thus controlling current consumption while maintaining the capability to access large pages.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cell mat is equipped with dedicated first drivers and second drivers that can independently activate cell mats based on local requirements. This local control mechanism allows the system to activate only the specific cell mats containing the required data, rather than activating all cell mats globally, thereby reducing current consumption while accessing large pages.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device may include: a plurality of cell mats arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; a plurality of first drivers, each first driver being disposed on a left side of a corresponding cell mat of the plurality of cell mats and configured to drive a first sub-word line of the corresponding cell mat; and a plurality of second drivers, each second driver being disposed on a right side of the corresponding cell mat of the plurality of cell mats and configured to drive a second sub-word line of the corresponding cell mat, wherein, during an active operation, among the plurality of cell mats, sub-word lines of cell mats disposed in odd-numbered columns or sub-word lines of cell mats disposed in even-numbered columns are selectively activated.