Serial Flash Memory Configurable Dummy Clock Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Serial flash memory devices have limited throughput due to their serial interfaces, which restrict data transfer rates compared to parallel interfaces, posing a challenge for enhancing performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a streaming mode for read operations in serial flash memory devices, allowing data to be read without a command code, thereby reducing the number of clock cycles required for read command sequences and improving data transfer efficiency through quad input/output configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional read command sequences with command codes are used, then data can be read from serial flash memory, but the number of clock cycles is large and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a streaming mode where the flash memory device is pre-configured with read parameters (address width, data width, dummy clock cycles) through configuration registers. Once configured, the device can execute read operations without requiring repeated command codes, allowing the processor to simply provide read addresses and receive data streams continuously. This eliminates the need to repeatedly send command codes for each read operation, significantly reducing clock cycles and improving throughput.
2Productivity
If serial interface is used for flash memory, then cost-effectiveness is maintained, but data transfer rates are restricted compared to parallel interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing dynamic configuration of read operation parameters through configuration registers. Key parameters include address width (16-bit or 32-bit), data width (8-bit or 16-bit), and number of dummy clock cycles. These parameters can be programmed to optimize performance for different applications. The streaming mode enabled by these parameter changes allows serial flash memory to achieve higher effective data transfer rates by reducing overhead, effectively bridging the performance gap between serial and parallel interfaces while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods configure a serial flash memory device. A value in a configuration register configures the number of dummy clock cycles to provide prior providing data in response to a read command. The value in the configuration register is read, and the number of dummy clock cycles to provide based at least partly on the dummy clock cycle value.