Memory Temperature Range Management to Reduce Refresh Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many memory systems perform unnecessary refresh operations due to operating outside a defined safe temperature range, leading to reduced performance, increased latency, and decreased device lifetime.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cross-temperature range management by defining an expected temperature range and determining a safe operating range, reducing unnecessary refresh operations and optimizing performance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the memory system performs refresh operations to ensure data reliability outside the safe temperature range, then data reliability is maintained, but performance decreases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of temperature range definition by introducing an expected temperature range parameter that is broader than the safe temperature range. This allows the system to operate with reduced refresh operations in the extended temperature range while maintaining acceptable reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and performance.
2Reliability
If the memory system performs frequent refresh operations to maintain data integrity, then data reliability is improved, but device lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the temperature range parameter to define an expected temperature range that extends beyond the safe temperature range. This parameter change enables the system to reduce refresh operation frequency in the extended range, thereby extending device lifetime while maintaining data integrity through alternative reliability mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the memory system operates within a narrow safe temperature range, then data reliability is maintained, but adaptability to different operating environments decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new parameter called expected temperature range that is broader than the safe temperature range. This allows the memory system to adapt to different operating environments (including extreme temperatures) while maintaining data reliability through the combined use of this parameter and enhanced reliability mechanisms such as error correction codes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the memory system uses enhanced reliability mechanisms in extended temperature ranges, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature range into distinct zones: safe temperature range and expected temperature range. This segmentation allows the system to apply different management strategies and reliability mechanisms to different temperature zones, reducing overall complexity by avoiding the need for enhanced mechanisms across the entire range.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for cross-temperature range management in memory systems are described. One or more parameter values defining an expected temperature range may be indicated to and stored at a memory system, where the memory system may define a safe temperature range and one or more additional temperature ranges using the one or more parameter values. After entering the safe temperature range, the memory system may refresh one or more memory cells of one or more memory devices for which write operations were performed outside of the safe temperature range. By defining safe temperatures for operation using an expected operating range, the memory system may reduce a quantity and frequency of refresh operations and may increase a performance and quality of service (QOS), while reducing latency in operations and communications. Further, endurance and device lifetime may be increased by reducing a quantity of refresh operations.