Memory Device Charge Recycling for Lower-Power Wordline Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices face inefficiencies in power usage due to the discharge and discard of stored charges during recovery operations, leading to reduced power efficiency and potential disturbance of memory cells.
Innovation Solution
Implement a charge recycling mechanism where charges stored during operations are transferred to a charge recycling memory block and reused for subsequent operations, enhancing power efficiency by minimizing unnecessary discharge and utilizing a charge pump for additional charge transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charges are discharged during recovery operations to prevent memory cell disturbance, then memory cell stability is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates due to loss of stored charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a charge recycling mechanism where charges that would normally be discarded during recovery operations are instead captured and stored in a dedicated charge recycling memory block. This allows the same charges to be reused in subsequent operations, transforming a wasteful discarding process into a resource recovery system that simultaneously maintains memory cell stability and improves power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A charge recycling memory block is introduced as an intermediary component between the wordlines and the discharge path. This intermediary captures excess charges during recovery operations, preventing them from causing memory cell disturbance while also preserving them for future use, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and energy loss
2Loss of energy
If a charge recycling memory block is added to capture and store charges, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge recycling memory block serves multiple functions: it acts as a charge storage element, a buffer to prevent memory cell disturbance, and a source for supplying charges in subsequent operations. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent achieves improved power efficiency without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the memory block by repurposing it for charge recycling rather than traditional data storage. This parameter change allows existing memory block structures to be utilized for charge management, reducing the need for entirely new circuit designs and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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 charge recycling operation improves power efficiency by efficiently reusing stored charges without additional circuit complexity, reducing power consumption and minimizing memory cell disturbance.
Implementation Method 1
first charges among a plurality of charges stored by the first driving voltages are stored in a charge recycling memory block connected to at least one charge recycling wordline
Implementation Method 2
a second charging operation in which the voltage levels of the plurality of wordlines additionally increase using the charge pump is performed
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of operating a memory device, a first operation is performed on a memory block by applying first driving voltages to a plurality of wordlines. After the first operation is completed, a first recovery operation in which the first driving voltages applied to the plurality of wordlines are discharged is performed. After the first recovery operation is completed, a second operation is performed on the memory block by applying second driving voltages to the plurality of wordlines. In the first recovery operation, first charges among a plurality of charges stored by the first driving voltages are stored in a charge recycling memory block connected to at least one charge recycling wordline. In the second operation, the second driving voltages are applied to the plurality of wordlines using the first charges stored in the charge recycling memory block.