Sensing Circuitry Logic Operations Voltage Drop Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory devices face inefficiencies in performing logical operations due to dynamic storage of voltages, which are susceptible to noise and require multiple threshold voltage drops, leading to increased power consumption and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of sensing circuitry with a sense amplifier and compute component that reduces the number of threshold voltage drops by using static latches for data storage, allowing logical operations to be performed without relying on dynamic capacitance and eliminating the need for external processing resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dynamic capacitance storage is used in memory devices, then data can be stored temporarily during logical operations, but the stored voltages are susceptible to noise and require multiple threshold voltage drops leading to increased power consumption and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional dynamic capacitance-based voltage storage mechanism with a domain-specific language (D SL) based logical operation framework. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple threshold voltage drops across transistor chains by performing logical operations directly on stored data values, thereby reducing power consumption and improving reliability against noise interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing D SL instructions that operate on stored data values rather than relying on voltage level transitions. This parameter change allows logical operations to be performed with fewer voltage drops, reducing power consumption and making the system less susceptible to noise while maintaining data storage functionality during operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If external processing resources are used to perform logical operations, then computational functionality can be provided, but data movement between memory and processing resources increases power consumption and reduces processing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the memory storage function with logical operation capability by introducing D SL instructions that can perform logical operations directly on data stored in memory cells. This merging eliminates the need for separate external processing resources and reduces data movement between memory and processing units, thereby improving processing efficiency and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality in memory devices by enabling them to perform both data storage and logical operations through D SL instructions. This universal approach allows the memory system to handle both functions internally, eliminating the need for dedicated external processing resources and reducing overall system power consumption while improving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple threshold voltage drops are required for logical operations, then logical functionality can be achieved, but power consumption increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogical operation capabilityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical mechanism of multiple threshold voltage drops with a D SL-based logical operation system. This substitution maintains full logical operation capability while reducing the number of voltage drops required, thereby improving reliability by making the system less susceptible to noise and voltage variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple threshold voltage drops are required for logical operations, then logical functionality can be achieved, but the number of voltage drops leads to increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogical operation capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the traditional voltage-drop-based logical operation mechanism with D SL instructions that operate on stored data values. This substitution maintains adaptability for various logical operations while significantly reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for multiple threshold voltage drops across transistor chains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10971214B2Apparatuses and methods to perform logical operations using sensing circuitry

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to performing logic operations. An example apparatus comprises sensing circuitry including a sense amplifier and a compute component. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuitry and is configured to cause storing of a first operand in a first compute component storage location, transfer of the first operand to a second compute component storage location, and performance of a logical operation between the first operand in the second compute component storage location and a second operand sensed by the sense amplifier.