Semiconductor Memory Device Swizzling Signal Burst Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory devices operating in burst mode face inefficiencies due to unnecessary data read or write operations, where data are processed in contiguous series, leading to overhead and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a swizzling signal allows for burst read and write commands to be executed on non-contiguous series of memory cells, enabling selective data processing by mapping operations to specific, potentially non-contiguous memory locations through a swizzling circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If burst mode operation is used to continuously transmit data bits, then transmission speed is improved, but unnecessary data are read or written causing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the burst data transmission by introducing a swizzling signal that divides the contiguous data stream into selective portions. The swizzle circuit responds to the swizzling signal to interleave or de-interleave specific data bits from the burst, allowing the system to transmit continuous bursts while extracting only the necessary non-contiguous data portions, thereby reducing overhead from unnecessary data transmission.
2Productivity
If data are read or written in units of burst length, then operational efficiency is improved, but read or write operations must be repeated to obtain designated data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the swizzle circuit with the swizzling signal before the burst operation begins. This signal pre-establishes the pattern for selecting specific data bits within the burst, allowing the circuit to automatically extract the correct non-contiguous data during the single burst operation, thereby eliminating the need for repeated read/write operations to obtain designated data.
3Productivity
If burst mode is used to reduce host load, then system performance is improved, but non-contiguous data access becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the swizzling signal as an intermediary between the host and the memory device. This signal acts as a mediator that carries the pattern information for non-contiguous data access, allowing the host to continue using simple burst mode commands while the swizzle circuit translates these into selective access patterns, thereby maintaining ease of operation for non-contiguous data access while preserving burst mode performance benefits.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method of performing, at a controller, an access to a memory device, which includes transmitting, at the controller, a first command signal, a first address signal, and a first swizzling signal to the memory device, selecting first data bits stored in a memory cell array of the memory device based on the first command signal and the first address signal, and sequentially outputting, at the memory device, at least a part of the first data bits to the controller in a burst manner, based on the first swizzling signal.