Nonvolatile Memory Grain Power Control for NNS Associative Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
NNS associative memories in digital and analog approaches are volatile, requiring continuous electrical power for data reading, leading to high electric power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with nonvolatile memory grains and power drivers that supply power only to specific memory grains in synchronization with control signals and clock signals, optimizing power usage by reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If volatile SRAM is used for NNS associative memory, then data reading can be performed, but continuous electrical power must be supplied to all memory grains, resulting in high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The memory area is divided into multiple memory grains, each capable of independent power control. This segmentation allows selective power supply to only those memory grains that need to be accessed, rather than powering the entire memory array continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
Power supply to memory grains is made dynamic through clock signal control. The power driver activates only during specific clock cycles when data reading is required, transitioning between powered and unpowered states based on operational needs.
2Ease of operation
If all memory grains are supplied with electrical power continuously, then data can be read from any region, but electric power consumption cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different memory grains are treated differently regarding power supply. Only the local memory grains that are currently needed for data reading operations receive power, while other memory grains remain unpowered, optimizing energy efficiency based on actual operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Power supply to memory grains is implemented periodically through clock signals. Power is supplied only during active reading operations and withheld during idle periods, creating a periodic on/off pattern that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device capable of reading reference data while achieving optimization of electric power consumption is provided. A memory device includes a memory area storing reference data of N (≥1) dimensions each composed of M (≥1) bits. A number of memory grains each composed of nonvolatile memory and power drivers paired with the memory grains to supply electrical power to the memory grains are provided in each region specified by column lines in the number and M row lines, the number being one to N inclusive. When the power driver receives a control signal from the corresponding one of the column lines, a control signal from the corresponding one of the M row lines, and a clock signal, the power driver supplies electrical power to the memory grain in synchronization with the clock signal.