Non-volatile Memory Initialization Current Peak Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of non-volatile memory devices in NVMe SSDs and NVMe-oF increases, the consumption current peaks during initialization information read operations due to the generation of high read pass voltages through pumping operations, exceeding allowable limits.

Innovation Solution

A non-volatile memory device that generates a low read pass voltage by dividing the source voltage VDD for unselected word lines during initialization information read operations, eliminating the need for voltage pumping and reducing consumption current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high read pass voltages are generated through pumping operations for initialization information read operations, then read operation reliability is improved, but consumption current peaks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitialization information read operation reliabilityVSAvoidconsumption current
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from high read pass voltage (generated by pumping operations) to low read pass voltage (directly from power supply). This parameter change maintains sufficient read operation reliability while dramatically reducing the consumption current peaks that occur during initialization information read operations in NVMe SSDs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the voltage pumping operation from the initialization information read process. By removing the pumping circuitry and its associated high current consumption, the system achieves stable operation with reduced power requirements while still completing necessary read operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the number of non-volatile memory devices is increased to enhance storage capacity, then productivity is improved, but consumption current peaks during initialization operations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidconsumption current peak
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the voltage generation approach from pumping operations to direct power supply connection, the patent enables scaling to multiple memory devices without proportional increases in current peaks. This parameter change allows NVMe SSDs and NVMe-oF systems to expand storage capacity while maintaining stable power consumption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If voltage pumping operations are performed for read pass voltage generation, then read operation performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveread operation performanceVSAvoidvoltage generation circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the voltage pumping operation and associated circuitry from the system. This extraction eliminates the complexity of voltage generation circuits while maintaining read operation functionality by using direct power supply connections, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the power supply voltage directly usable for read pass voltage without requiring specialized pumping circuits. This universal approach allows the same power supply to serve multiple functions across different operation modes and device configurations, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3553782B1Non-volatile memory device and initialization information reading method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3553782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3553782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3553782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a method of reading initialization information from a non-volatile memory device, when power-up is detected, the non-volatile memory device divides a source voltage to generate a low read pass voltage which is to be provided to unselected word lines in an initialization information read operation. The low read pass voltage is set as at least one voltage between a ground voltage and the source voltage. The non-volatile memory device allows the source voltage not to be pumped in the initialization information read operation, based on the power-up. In the initialization information read operation, the non-volatile memory device provides the low read pass voltage to the unselected word lines and provides a read voltage to a selected word line to read initialization information stored in the memory cells.