Partial Area Self Refresh Mode for Mobile Memory Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile systems face significant power consumption challenges in low power modes due to the need to maintain critical data for restoration, which consumes substantial energy even when in sleep or idle modes.

Innovation Solution

The method involves copying data from a first portion of memory to a second portion during normal operation and powering off the first portion, allowing the mobile system to conserve power by maintaining only the second portion active during low power modes, triggered by events such as extended non-use or user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the memory maintains all data during low power mode, then the apparatus can be restored quickly upon awakening, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The memory is divided into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is powered off during low power mode while the second portion remains active to maintain critical data. This segmentation allows the system to reduce power consumption by approximately 50% while maintaining restoration capability for essential functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the memory are assigned different power states based on their functional importance. The first portion (less critical) is powered off, while the second portion (critical for restoration) remains powered on. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between power savings and restoration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If the apparatus copies data between memory portions, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmemory management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory controller automatically manages the data copying between the first and second portions of memory based on detected triggering events. The system self-regulates by monitoring conditions such as extended non-use periods and automatically initiating data migration, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs triggering events as feedback mechanisms to determine when data copying should occur. When specific conditions are detected (such as the apparatus being in non-use for an extended period), the system automatically initiates the data migration process, creating a responsive and adaptive memory management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11262921B2Partial area self refresh mode

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method and an apparatus are provided for powering off a portion of a memory of a mobile system. The apparatus may store data within a memory of the apparatus. The apparatus may copy a first portion of the data stored in a first portion of the memory into a second portion of the memory so that the data is stored in the second portion of the memory. The first and the second portion of the memory may be the same memory type. The disclosure discusses various triggering events that may cause the apparatus to copy the first portion of the data stored in the first portion of the memory into the second portion of the memory. The apparatus may then turn off the first portion of the memory. In this manner, the memory consumes less power when storing the data during a low power mode.