Integrated OTP-DRAM Memory Cell for Fast Boot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face long startup times due to the need to transfer data from non-volatile memory cells to volatile memory cells, leading to continuous power consumption and limited battery life, as current technologies separate these memory types, resulting in inefficient data loading and power management.
Innovation Solution
A memory storage device integrating volatile and non-volatile memory cells within a single memory cell, where data is directly written from non-volatile to volatile memory cells using a combination of DRAM and OTP-ROM cells, reducing loading time and power consumption by eliminating the need for separate memory devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is transferred from non-volatile memory to volatile memory during startup, then the device can operate, but startup time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines non-volatile memory (OTP-ROM) and volatile memory (DRAM) into a single integrated memory cell structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate memory devices and the time-consuming data transfer process between them, allowing the device to boot up faster while maintaining data persistence capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-volatile memory portion of the integrated cell pre-stores data that can be immediately accessed by the volatile memory portion when power is applied. This preliminary preparation of data in the non-volatile section eliminates the need for lengthy data loading processes during startup.
2Reliability
If separate non-volatile and volatile memory devices are used, then data persistence is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both non-volatile and volatile memory functions into a single memory cell that shares common structure elements including wordline pairs, bitlines, and diffusion regions. This unified structure reduces the overall device complexity compared to using separate memory devices while maintaining data persistence through the non-volatile portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated memory cell serves multiple functions within a single structure: the non-volatile portion provides data persistence and storage, while the volatile portion provides fast access and processing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized memory devices.
3Reliability
If separate memory devices are used for non-volatile and volatile storage, then data retention is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous data loading
Solution Approach 1:
By merging non-volatile and volatile memory into a single integrated cell, the patent eliminates the continuous power consumption associated with transferring data between separate devices. The non-volatile portion retains data without power, and the volatile portion only consumes power when actively accessing or processing data.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated memory structure enables continuous operation without interruption for data loading. The non-volatile portion continuously retains data without power, and the volatile portion continuously has access to this data, eliminating periodic data loading cycles that consume power.
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
This integration significantly reduces startup times and power consumption by allowing direct data transfer between memory types, enhancing the performance and battery life of portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The non-volatile memory cell is programmed to write third data in response to assertion of a first wordline to form a signal pathway between the non-volatile memory cell and the bitline
Data Source
AI summary
A memory storage device is disclosed herein which having volatile memory cells and non-volatile memory cells. The memory storage device can be implemented within a portable electronic device. These portable electronic devices often load data from non-volatile memory cells into volatile memory cells, for example, upon powering up. Conventionally, portable electronic devices often include separate non-volatile memory storage devices and volatile memory storage devices which requires a significant amount of time to transfer data stored in non-volatile memory storage devices to the volatile memory storage devices. However, the memory storage device integrates the volatile memory cells and the non-volatile memory cells into a single integrated memory device. This direct writing of the data stored in the non-volatile memory cells into the volatile memory cells as disclosed herein significantly reduces time required to load data from the non-volatile memory cells to the volatile memory cells which can significantly speed up powering up of portable electronic devices.