SRAM Column Select Logic for IPG Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neuromodulation systems face challenges with insufficient storage capacity and inefficient data access in implantable pulse generators (IPGs), leading to power wastage and latency due to standard SRAM limitations, which complicates the precise targeting of neural tissue for stimulation and increases the risk of undesired side effects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a static random-access memory (SRAM) component with column select logic that decodes read/write access and selectively connects to different interface buses, allowing for optimized data storage and transmission during both CPU and stimulation modes, ensuring efficient data access and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If standard SRAM is used for storing stimulation data, then storage capacity is limited by fixed word width, but this leads to power wastage and latency due to inefficient data access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SRAM structure into multiple independent banks (first bank, second bank, third bank, fourth bank) that can be accessed simultaneously. Each bank has its own read/write circuitry, allowing parallel data access operations that reduce latency and power consumption by avoiding sequential access to a single memory bank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dual-bus architecture with a first interface bus for CPU access and a second interface bus for stimulation circuitry access. This dimensional separation allows simultaneous read/write operations to occur on different buses without interfering with each other, eliminating the need for processor cycle waiting and reducing both latency and power consumption.
2Quantity of substance
If standard SRAM with fixed word width is used, then data storage is simplified, but storage capacity is insufficient for complex waveforms requiring over 100 bits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory system into multiple banks (first, second, third, fourth banks) where each bank can store portions of complex waveform data. This segmentation allows the system to achieve over 100 bits of storage capacity by combining multiple smaller storage units, while each individual bank maintains a manageable structure for efficient access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional memory interface that can simultaneously serve the CPU (through the first interface bus) and the stimulation circuitry (through the second interface bus). This universal interface design allows the same memory structure to support both data processing and stimulation delivery functions, achieving high storage capacity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If read and write access is performed through processor cycles, then data access is flexible, but this costs power and introduces latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dedicated read/write circuitry and interface buses as intermediaries between the SRAM banks and the external systems (CPU and stimulation circuitry). These intermediary components handle data access operations independently of the processor, allowing flexible read/write operations to occur without consuming processor cycles or excessive power, thus maintaining ease of operation while reducing power consumption.
4Quantity of substance
If more bits are required than can be accessed in a single word, then storage capacity increases, but direct memory access hardware is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data access path into multiple parallel channels through the four memory banks, each capable of handling word-sized accesses simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to transfer more than one word of data in parallel, effectively increasing the data width available to DMA operations without requiring complex wide-bus hardware, thus maintaining manageable DMA hardware complexity while achieving high data throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that includes a controller, and stimulation circuitry for generating electrical pulses to stimulate neural tissue of the patient. The IPG also includes a static random-access memory (SRAM) component for storing data to control the generating of the electrical pulses, wherein the SRAM component is connected to at least the controller through a first interface bus at a first word width and is connected to at least the stimulation circuitry through a second interface bus at a second word width. The SRAM component comprises column select logic that decodes read or write (R/W) access from the controller and provides for selective connection of each column of the SRAM component to the first interface bus during the R/W access, or to the second interface bus during stimulation operations to provide stimulation control data to components of the stimulation circuitry.