Nonvolatile Memory Thermal Throttling via Charge Pump Stage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage devices face overheating issues due to increased power consumption, leading to potential failure, as they lack effective thermal management mechanisms, particularly in miniaturized electronic devices where heat dissipation is challenging.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an on-chip thermal throttling system within nonvolatile memory devices, utilizing a digital temperature sensor, a charge pump circuit, and a control logic circuit to adjust the number and timing of charge pump stages based on temperature readings, thereby controlling current consumption and managing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the nonvolatile memory device increases power consumption to improve performance, then processing speed and operational capability are improved, but heat generation increases leading to overheating and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The digital temperature sensor continuously monitors temperature before critical overheating occurs, and the control logic circuit proactively adjusts charge pump operation in advance. By performing preliminary temperature assessment and preemptive power adjustment, the system prevents overheating rather than reacting after damage occurs, maintaining both high performance and thermal safety
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time temperature feedback. The control logic circuit modifies the number of charge pump stages activated and the timing of voltage generation according to current temperature conditions, enabling the system to optimize performance while preventing overheating through continuous adaptation
2Volume of moving object
If the storage device is miniaturized to reduce size, then portability and integration are improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The miniaturized memory device performs self-thermal management through integrated on-chip temperature monitoring and autonomous power adjustment. The digital temperature sensor and control logic circuit work together to automatically regulate charge pump operation based on internal temperature, eliminating the need for external thermal management hardware and enabling the device to serve its own thermal control needs within the compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the charge pump circuit based on temperature conditions. By adjusting the number of active charge pump stages and modifying voltage generation timing, the system dynamically alters power consumption characteristics to match thermal dissipation capabilities of the miniaturized device, maintaining performance within safe thermal limits
3Speed
If the charge pump circuit operates continuously at full capacity, then voltage generation speed is improved, but current consumption increases causing thermal throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic circuit activates only the necessary number of charge pump stages based on current temperature conditions and voltage requirements. Instead of running all charge pump stages continuously, the system applies partial action by selecting subsets of stages, reducing current consumption while still meeting voltage generation needs. This prevents thermal throttling by avoiding excessive current draw
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit operates in periodic cycles with variable duration and intensity based on temperature feedback. The control logic circuit adjusts the timing and frequency of charge pump activation, creating periodic operation patterns that allow thermal dissipation between bursts of high-current operation. This periodic action maintains voltage generation capability while preventing sustained overheating
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient thermal management by optimizing current consumption and reducing overheating risks, ensuring reliable operation of memory chips and extending their lifespan in compact electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a digital temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of at least one predetermined region of the at least one nonvolatile memory device and to generate a temperature code
Implementation Method 2
a charge pump circuit including pump units connected in series configured to receive an external voltage and to perform a charge pumping operation, and configured to output a pump voltage
Implementation Method 3
a control logic circuit configured to perform an on-chip thermal throttling operation according to the temperature code, and wherein the on-chip thermal throttling operation controls timing of a wordline voltage applied to at least one of the wordlines
Implementation Method 4
Conventional storage devices face overheating issues due to increased power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A nonvolatile memory device comprising a charge pump circuit with pump units connected in series that receives an external voltage for charge pumping and outputs a pump voltage in stages according to stage control signals, a switching circuit that controls the charge pump circuit to output pumping voltages in response to switch control signals, a stage controller that outputs the stage control signals and the switch control signals based on a temperature code, and a digital temperature sensor that generates the temperature code.