Memory Digital Thermometer Using Dual Oscillators for Bit Flip Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory devices experience bit flip errors due to reduced level separation in threshold voltages caused by cross-temperature effects, leading to reduced reliability and data retention, which existing temperature sensors with complex and noisy designs fail to accurately address.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a compact digital thermometer in the memory device using two oscillators with counters and calibration circuitry to provide an accurate digital temperature code, allowing for improved temperature compensation and reduced error rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing temperature sensors are used, then temperature measurement is provided, but the design is complex and produces noisy results reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex analog temperature sensing circuits with a digital thermometer implementation using oscillators and counters. The temperature measurement function is achieved through digital counting of oscillator cycles rather than analog signal processing, eliminating noise and complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a digital copy of temperature information through oscillator cycle counting. Instead of directly measuring temperature with complex sensors, the system creates a digital representation by counting cycles of a temperature-dependent oscillator, providing a clean digital signal that can be processed without noise.
2Reliability
If existing temperature sensors are used, then temperature measurement is provided, but the noisy design reduces reliability for error correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates noise by replacing analog temperature sensing with a digital oscillator-based measurement system. The digital counting mechanism produces clean, noise-free temperature data that can be reliably used for error correction and data retention management without the harmful noise effects of traditional sensors.
3Area of stationary object
If compact design is implemented, then device area is reduced, but integration of temperature compensation functionality becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensing and compensation functionality into a single integrated digital thermometer block within the memory device. The oscillator, counter, and temperature compensation logic are combined in one compact unit, achieving both area reduction and full temperature compensation capability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital thermometer implementation serves multiple functions: it provides temperature measurement, generates temperature compensation values, and integrates with the memory control logic. This multi-functional design achieves compact area while maintaining full temperature compensation versatility.
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
The compact digital thermometer provides accurate temperature measurements, reducing errors and improving memory sub-system performance by enabling precise temperature compensation, thus enhancing reliability and data retention.
Implementation Method 1
A first oscillator in the temperature sensor can generate a constant with absolute temperature (CWT) clock signal having a period that remains constant with changes in temperature
Implementation Method 2
A second oscillator can generate a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) clock signal or complimentary to absolute temperature (CTAT) clock signal
Data Source
AI summary
A digital thermometer includes a first oscillator to generate a first clock signal, wherein a period of this clock signal remains constant in view of temperature changes of the apparatus and a first counter coupled to the first oscillator, this counter to count a fixed number of cycles of the first clock signal associated with a measurement period. The digital thermometer further includes a second oscillator to generate a second clock signal, wherein a period of this clock signal varies with temperature changes and a second counter coupled to the second oscillator, this counter to generate an output representing a count of a number of cycles of the second clock signal that occur during the measurement period. Additionally, the digital thermometer includes calibration circuitry coupled to the second counter, the calibration circuitry to generate, based on the output of the second counter, a value representing the temperature of the apparatus.