Shared Strobe Driver Circuit for Multi-Die Memory Bus Control

Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of memory die in multi-die packages increases, the area and power consumption of the controller die are significantly affected by the extensive strobe signal circuitry required to manage access to a common bus, leading to inefficiencies and a need for reduced circuitry to maintain performance and size constraints.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a shared programmable strobe line driver circuitry that can be selectively connected to multiple strobe lines, allowing for programmable delays and overlapping active strobe signals to optimize bus usage and minimize the number of dedicated driver circuits, thereby reducing die area and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated strobe signal driver circuits are provided for each strobe signal to control access by multiple memory die, then bus collision avoidance is achieved, but controller die area consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebus collision avoidanceVSAvoidcontroller die area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple dedicated strobe signal driver circuits are merged into a single shared strobe signal driver circuit. This shared circuit selectively connects to different strobe lines through switching mechanisms, allowing one circuit to serve multiple memory die and multiple strobe signals, thereby reducing the total number of driver circuits and the controller die area they occupy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared strobe signal driver circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively connecting to different strobe lines. A single driver circuit can provide strobe signals to multiple memory die through switching, making the circuit universal rather than dedicated to a single function or target, thus reducing overall circuitry requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dedicated strobe signal driver circuits are provided for each strobe signal to control access by multiple memory die, then bus collision avoidance is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebus collision avoidanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple power-consuming dedicated driver circuits are merged into a single shared driver circuit. By consolidating the strobe signal generation and driving function into one circuit that serves multiple memory die, the total power consumption is reduced while maintaining the ability to control bus access and prevent collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared strobe signal driver circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively connecting to different strobe lines. A single driver circuit can provide strobe signals to multiple memory die through switching, making the circuit universal rather than dedicated to a single function or target, thus reducing overall circuitry requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If the number of memory die in a package increases to provide larger storage capacity, then storage density is improved, but the amount of strobe signal circuitry required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidstrobe signal circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

As the number of memory die increases, the number of required strobe driver circuits would normally increase proportionally. However, by merging multiple driver functions into a single shared driver circuit with selective connectivity, the circuit complexity does not scale linearly with the number of memory die, enabling higher storage density without proportional increases in controller complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared strobe signal driver circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively connecting to different strobe lines. A single driver circuit can provide strobe signals to multiple memory die through switching, making the circuit universal rather than dedicated to a single function or target, thus reducing overall circuitry requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10431292B2Method and apparatus for controlling access to a common bus by multiple components

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Apparatuses and methods for controlling access to a common bus including a plurality of memory devices coupled to a common bus, wherein individual ones of the plurality of memory devices are configured to access the common bus responsive to a strobe signal, and a strobe line driver programmed with a first delay associated with a combination of a first command type and a first one of the plurality of memory devices to provide a first strobe signal to the first one of the plurality of memory devices, and further programmed with a second delay associated with a combination of a second command type and a second one of the plurality of memory devices to provide a second strobe signal to the second one of the plurality of memory devices.