Memory Controller Status Check via Toggle Signal Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current memory systems require significant time to check the status of a memory device after a read operation, which can lead to performance overhead and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A memory system and operating method that utilize N read enable toggle signals followed by an additional read enable signal to switch the output register from a data register to a status register, allowing the memory device to output status information without separate status read commands, thereby reducing the time required to check the memory device's status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If separate status read commands are transmitted to check memory device status, then status information can be obtained, but time consumption increases and performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime required to check statusVSAvoidmemory operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the status reading operation with the data reading operation by utilizing the read enable toggle signal sequence. After outputting data in response to N read enable toggle signals, the memory device automatically outputs status information in response to an additional read enable toggle signal without requiring a separate status read command, thereby combining two operations into one sequence and reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The read enable toggle signal sequence serves multiple functions: it controls data output during normal read operations and also triggers status information output. The same signal mechanism (read enable toggle) is used for both data reading and status checking, making the system more efficient by eliminating the need for separate status read commands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If N read enable toggle signals are input to output data, then data reading is completed, but additional time is needed for status checking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus checking operationVSAvoidtime for status check after read

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device is configured to automatically prepare and output status information after completing the data read operation. By using the additional read enable toggle signal that naturally follows the N read enable toggle signals, the system performs status checking as a preliminary or immediate subsequent action without requiring separate time for status read commands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11880599B2Memory system and operating method of the memory system inputting an additional read enable toggle signal to output status information of memory device

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A memory system includes a memory device and a memory controller. The memory controller transmits a data read command to the memory device, inputs N read enable toggle signals to the memory device in order for the memory device to output the data requested by the data read command requests, and inputs an additional read enable toggle signal to the memory device. The memory device outputs status information of the memory device to the memory controller in response to the additional read enable toggle signal.