Shared-Channel Memory With Phase-Shifted Clocks for Lower Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Dynamic Random Access Memories (DRAMs) face issues of high power consumption and cost due to the need for multiple communication channels with each storage chip, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and storage performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a memory structure where multiple storage chips share a communication channel, with different clock phases for separate chip sets, allowing simultaneous data transmission and reducing the number of required communication channels, thereby decreasing power consumption and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple storage chips are connected to control chips via separate communication channels, then information interaction reliability is improved, but power consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation interaction reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple storage chips share a common communication channel with the control chip, merging separate communication paths into a single shared channel. This reduces the total number of communication channels required, thereby lowering power consumption and cost while maintaining reliable information interaction through time-multiplexed access controlled by phase-differentiated clock signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common communication channel serves multiple storage chips simultaneously, making the channel universal rather than dedicated to a single chip. The channel can be dynamically allocated to different storage chips based on their operational needs, improving resource utilization and reducing overall system power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple storage chips are connected to control chips via separate communication channels, then information interaction reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation interaction reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple storage chips share a common communication channel with the control chip, merging separate communication paths into a single shared channel. This reduces the total number of communication channels required, thereby lowering power consumption and cost while maintaining reliable information interaction through time-multiplexed access controlled by phase-differentiated clock signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common communication channel serves multiple storage chips simultaneously, making the channel universal rather than dedicated to a single chip. The channel can be dynamically allocated to different storage chips based on their operational needs, improving resource utilization and reducing overall system power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If multiple storage chips share a common communication channel, then power consumption and cost are reduced, but data transmission continuity may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic clock signals with different phases to control access to the common communication channel. Each storage chip is assigned specific time windows based on phase-differentiated clock signals, creating a periodic, structured access pattern that ensures continuous and orderly data transmission without conflicts or idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

By using multiple clock signals with different phases, the system ensures that while one storage chip is transmitting data, another can simultaneously access the channel during different phase windows. This overlapping, continuous operation eliminates idle periods and maintains uninterrupted data transmission flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4033490B1memory
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 CHANGXIN MEMORY TECH INC
  • EP4033490B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4033490B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4033490B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a memory, including: a control chip; and a plurality of storage chips, in which the plurality of storage chips are electrically connected with the control chip via a common communication channel, the plurality of storage chips include a first storage chip set and a second storage chip set, the storage chips in the first storage chip set are configured to perform information interaction with the control chip by adopting a first clock signal, the storage chips in the second storage chip set are configured to perform information interaction with the control chip by adopting a second clock signal, and phase of the first clock signal is different from phase of the second clock signal.