Memory Word-Line Power Assertion With Delayed-Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power management signals in semiconductor memory circuits are typically asynchronous, making it difficult to achieve design margins such as ensuring the word line is not turned off during power management assertion without impacting current operations.
Innovation Solution
A robust power management assertion scheme that synchronizes the assertion of power management signals with the completion of read/write operations by using latch circuits to ensure the word line header supply is turned off only after the current operation is completed, utilizing delayed clock signals to synchronize the local word line sleep signal with the word line clock signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power management signals are asserted asynchronously, then power management operations can be performed independently, but it becomes difficult to ensure the word line is not turned off during power management assertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking the operation completion status before asserting power management signals. The control logic examines whether the current word line operation has completed before allowing power management assertion, preventing premature power cutoff that would disrupt ongoing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the status of ongoing memory operations is continuously monitored and fed back to the power management control logic. This feedback enables the system to dynamically adjust power management signal assertion based on real-time operation status, ensuring reliable word line power supply during active operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If power management assertion is synchronized with memory operations, then design margins can be achieved, but it impacts the current operation of the memory device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power management assertion timing adaptive rather than fixed. The synchronization mechanism dynamically adjusts the assertion timing based on the actual completion status of memory operations, allowing the system to achieve design margins when operations are complete while minimizing impact on throughput by avoiding unnecessary delays when operations have already finished.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter of power management signal assertion based on operation status. By monitoring operation completion and adjusting the assertion timing accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between achieving sufficient design margins and maintaining high memory operation throughput.
3Stability of the object's composition
If power management signals are asserted without synchronization, then operation continuity is maintained, but timing issues and race conditions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a status check before power management assertion. The control logic examines whether the current operation has completed before asserting power management signals, which prevents race conditions and timing issues while maintaining operation continuity through proper sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control logic layer between the power management signals and the memory operations. This intermediary monitors operation status and mediates the timing of power management assertion, eliminating direct timing conflicts and race conditions while preserving operation continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a sleep operation for a memory array. A memory system may include a memory array with a memory cell and a word line driver, the memory array receiving a word line clock signal that enables and disables memory read and write operations of the memory cell. The memory array may further including a switching circuit coupled between the word line driver and a power source, the switching circuit being controlled by a local word line sleep signal to turn power to the word line driver on and off. A latch circuit may generate the local word line sleep signal in response to a delayed clock signal and one or more power management control signals. The word line clock signal and the delayed clock signal may both being generated as a function of a memory clock signal. The latch circuit may synchronize the local word line sleep signal with the delayed clock signal such that the local word line sleep signal is prevented from turning off power to the word line driver until memory read and write operations of the memory cell are disabled by the word line clock signal.