Segmented Data Processing Circuit for Semiconductor Memory Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor memory devices, signal truncation occurs due to conflicting data signals transmitted through paths of different lengths, affecting signal quality and margin.
Innovation Solution
A data processing circuit with a primary transmission path and multiple secondary transmission paths, where each storage array includes at least two sub-arrays, ensuring signals are transmitted through corresponding secondary paths to maintain consistent arrival times, preventing truncation and improving signal margin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple storage arrays share a common primary transmission path, then device complexity is reduced, but signal transmission quality deteriorates due to signal truncation and conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission path by introducing secondary transmission paths that branch off from the primary path. Each storage array connects to the primary path through its own secondary path, creating a hierarchical structure that isolates signal transmissions while maintaining shared resource utilization. This segmentation prevents signal truncation by providing dedicated access routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary transmission paths act as intermediaries between the storage arrays and the primary transmission path. These intermediate paths buffer and manage signal flow, preventing direct conflicts between multiple storage arrays accessing the primary path simultaneously. The intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by mediating signal transmission.
2Productivity
If data signals are transmitted through a shared primary transmission path, then productivity is improved through resource sharing, but signal margin deteriorates due to signal conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the transmission path into primary and secondary levels, the patent enables multiple storage arrays to share the primary path resource while maintaining dedicated secondary paths for actual signal transmission. This segmentation allows resource sharing without signal conflicts, improving productivity while preserving signal margin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional layer to the transmission structure by introducing secondary paths that connect storage arrays to the primary path. This creates a two-dimensional transmission topology instead of a flat shared path, allowing simultaneous resource sharing and signal isolation in different dimensional spaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different sub-arrays use different transmission path lengths, then adaptability is improved for various access patterns, but signal transmission quality worsens due to arrival time differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipotential signal transmission by ensuring that all secondary transmission paths from different sub-arrays to the primary path have matched lengths. This equalizes the transmission conditions, ensuring signals arrive at consistent times regardless of which sub-array initiates the transmission, thereby maintaining signal quality while supporting various access patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls and standardizes the length parameter of secondary transmission paths to be equal across all sub-arrays. By fixing this critical parameter, the system achieves consistent signal arrival times while maintaining the ability to handle different access patterns through the structured hierarchy of transmission paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing circuit includes a primary transmission path, multiple secondary transmission paths and multiple storage arrays which share the primary transmission path. Each storage array includes at least two sub-arrays, and the secondary transmission path is formed between each sub-array and the primary transmission path, and the sub-array transmits a signal through the secondary transmission path and the primary transmission path.