Memory Transceiver Inverter Chains for Low-Power High-Speed I/O
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices face challenges in achieving high-speed data input/output operations while maintaining reliability and accuracy in low-power environments, often resulting in increased power consumption and errors during data transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver design incorporating a first and second inverter chain, a reset circuit, sense amplifier, and tri-state inverter, which reduces power consumption by using power-gating transistors and operates efficiently in low-power environments, ensuring accurate signal transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed data input/output operations are implemented, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by selectively enabling or disabling inverter chains based on operational mode. The first inverter chain is enabled during high-speed data input/output operations, while the second inverter chain is disabled to reduce power consumption during low-activity periods, creating a dynamic adaptation to workload demands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic calibration operations that are triggered based on transmission distance thresholds. Calibration is performed periodically when data transmission exceeds a predetermined distance to maintain signal integrity, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall power consumption while ensuring reliable high-speed operation when needed
2Measurement precision
If calibration is performed for high-speed data input/output operations, then transmission accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the calibration function into two separate inverter chains with distinct purposes: the first inverter chain handles high-speed data input/output operations, while the second inverter chain is dedicated to calibration operations. This segmentation allows each chain to be optimized independently and simplifies the control logic by clearly separating calibration functions from data transmission functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs calibration operations in advance before actual data transmission begins. The calibration signal is transmitted through the second inverter chain to establish proper signal levels and timing parameters, ensuring that when high-speed data transmission starts, the system is already optimized and ready, eliminating the need for complex real-time calibration during data operations
Data Source
AI summary
A transceiver includes a first inverter chain configured to deliver a signal in response to an enable signal and a second inverter chain which is coupled to the first inverter chain in parallel and configured to output a reset value of the signal in response to an inverted enable signal.