Memory Timing Adjustment Using an Internal Oscillator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory sub-systems face challenges in accurately tracking the effects of voltage and temperature changes on memory devices, leading to potential data loss and performance degradation due to frequent write and read training procedures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an internal oscillator within the memory device, which receives an input signal from a replica of the memory sub-system's internal clock, allows the memory sub-system controller to monitor changes in the memory device's internal clock delays caused by voltage and temperature shifts. The controller adjusts the write latency offsets based on the oscillator's output values, thereby optimizing timing parameters for write operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequent write and read training procedures are performed to track voltage and temperature effects, then timing accuracy is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to increased overhead and potential data loss
Solution Approach 1:
An oscillator is introduced as an intermediary component that indirectly tracks voltage and temperature effects through its output frequency variations. Instead of directly measuring timing parameters through frequent training procedures, the oscillator serves as a mediator whose frequency changes correlate with environmental conditions, allowing timing adjustments without direct intervention in the data path.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator automatically tracks environmental changes and generates output signals that reflect timing drift caused by voltage and temperature variations. The system uses the oscillator's own output to self-correct timing parameters, eliminating the need for external calibration procedures and reducing overhead associated with frequent training operations.
2Productivity
If an internal oscillator is used to track voltage and temperature effects, then the need for frequent write training is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator serves multiple functions: it generates timing references for normal operation, tracks voltage and temperature effects through frequency variations, and provides calibration data for timing adjustments. By making the oscillator multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the goal of reducing frequent write training procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A first count value corresponding to a first run cycle of an oscillator and a second count value corresponding to a second run cycle of the oscillator are identified. A timing parameter for performing an input/output operation on a memory device is adjusted based on the first count value and the second count value.