Self-Contained Command Interface for Analog Memory Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices rely on internal storage of parameter values for memory access operations, which complicates their operation and hardware configuration, and do not execute self-contained commands effectively without caching or tracking parameter values.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for memory devices that accept self-contained commands with embedded parameters for performing memory access operations, such as read, write, and erase, allowing the memory device to execute these commands independently without relying on internal parameter storage, using control circuitry to apply the specified analog settings to the memory cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If memory devices use internal storage of parameter values for memory access operations, then the device can execute operations autonomously, but the hardware configuration becomes more complex and operation is complicated due to parameter caching requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the parameter storage function from the memory device itself and relocates it to the host system. Commands are transmitted with parameters embedded in the command structure, allowing the memory device to execute operations without internal parameter caching, thereby simplifying the device architecture while maintaining autonomous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The command interface is designed to be universal, accommodating both traditional commands and self-contained commands with embedded parameters through a unified command structure. This allows the memory device to handle multiple types of operations without requiring separate hardware pathways or complex configuration mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If memory devices store multiple sets of parameter values for different operations, then the device can handle diverse memory access operations, but the hardware configuration and parameter management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple parameter sets are extracted from the memory device and transmitted with each command from the host. The command structure includes fields for operation type, address, and multiple parameter values, allowing the device to adapt to different operations without storing multiple parameter sets internally
Solution Approach 2:
The command interface is designed to be dynamic, where the specific parameters included in each command are determined by the operation type. The memory device adapts its operation based on the parameters received in the command, rather than having fixed internal parameter sets for different operations
3Productivity
If memory devices cache parameter values for repeated operations, then operation speed can be improved, but the device requires additional hardware for caching and tracking parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The parameter caching function is extracted from the memory device and performed by the host system. The host maintains command queues with embedded parameters and transmits them sequentially, eliminating the need for memory device parameter caching hardware while maintaining operational throughput
Solution Approach 2:
Parameters are prepared and embedded in commands by the host system before transmission to the memory device. This preliminary preparation allows the memory device to execute operations immediately upon receiving the command without requiring internal parameter storage or caching mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a memory device that includes a plurality of analog memory cells includes accepting at an input of the memory device a self-contained command to perform a memory access operation on at least one of the memory cells. The command includes an instruction specifying the memory access operation and one or more parameters that are indicative of analog settings to be applied to the at least one of the memory cells when performing the memory access operation. The self-contained command is executed in the memory device by extracting the parameters, applying the analog settings to the at least one of the memory cells responsively to the extracted parameters, and performing the specified memory access operation in accordance with the instruction on the at least one of the memory cells using the settings.