Port Emulation Circuit for Atomic SRAM Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory interface architectures for SRAM cells face challenges in efficiently managing read and write operations across multiple memory banks, leading to conflicts and increased power and bandwidth requirements, especially in applications requiring atomic operations and error correction.
Innovation Solution
A smart memory interface with a port emulation circuit module that enables an emulated 1R+1RW SRAM channel from a collection of 1R+1W SRAM banks, allowing for atomic operations without memory access restrictions, reducing the need for data transfer between SRAM and core logic, and enabling efficient data reconstruction and parity updates across banks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional memory interface architectures are used for SRAM cells, then read and write operations can be performed across multiple memory banks, but conflicts occur and power and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A port emulation circuit module is introduced as an intermediary between the memory banks and the interface. This circuit emulates a read-write port by coordinating reads from multiple read-only ports, thereby managing conflicts and reducing the power and bandwidth requirements associated with traditional direct access architectures
2Productivity
If traditional memory interface architectures are used for SRAM cells, then read and write operations can be performed across multiple memory banks, but conflicts occur and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The port emulation circuit acts as a mediator that consolidates bandwidth requirements by emulating a single read-write port interface. It coordinates data retrieval from multiple banks through this emulated interface, reducing the total bandwidth consumption compared to direct access methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If port emulation circuit module is used to provide group read/write port, then atomic operations can be performed without memory access restrictions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The port emulation circuit module provides multi-functionality by emulating a read-write port using only read-only ports. This universal approach enables atomic operations and various memory access patterns without requiring separate dedicated circuitry for each function, managing complexity through functional consolidation
4Reliability
If data is read from all other memory banks to reconstruct conflicting data, then data accuracy is maintained, but time required for read operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by reading data from all other memory banks in parallel when a conflict is detected. This preliminary data collection enables accurate reconstruction of the conflicting data through logical operations, maintaining reliability while minimizing the time penalty through parallel processing
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment relates to a memory structure that includes a bank group and a port emulation circuit module. The bank group includes a plurality of memory banks, each memory bank having one read port and one write port. The port emulation circuit module provides a group read/write port and a group read port for the bank group. The port emulation circuit module includes a port emulation control circuit that receives control signals including a first address for a group read/write port and a second address for a group read port, a first data path circuit for the group read/write port, and a second data path circuit for the group read port, wherein the second data path circuit outputs a second read data. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.