SRAM Address-Dependent Power Management via Bank Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
SRAM circuits require continuous power for operation, leading to high power consumption, which is a concern for portable electronics, and existing methods to reduce power consumption, such as using multiple independent circuits or varying supply voltages, are either space-intensive or inefficient in maintaining data integrity.
Innovation Solution
The SRAM circuit employs a retention mode with adjustable transistor threshold voltages and optimized address mapping, allowing for reduced power usage by selectively activating only necessary components and using distinct power domains for peripheral circuitry, while maintaining data integrity through bias level determination and strategic placement of control and decoder circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SRAM circuits use continuous power for operation, then data integrity is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SRAM memory is divided into multiple banks, each with independent control logic. This allows selective activation of only the necessary memory banks based on address matching, reducing the number of circuits operating at full power while maintaining data integrity in active banks.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory circuit implements periodic clock gating and power management, where clocks and power are selectively enabled only when address matching occurs for specific banks. This periodic activation pattern reduces average power consumption while ensuring data is maintained in active banks.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple independent circuits are used to reduce power, then power consumption decreases, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple memory banks share common peripheral circuits including sense amplifiers, write buffers, and control logic. This merging of resources allows the system to achieve power reduction through selective activation without requiring proportionally more area, as the shared infrastructure serves multiple banks.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral circuits are designed to serve multiple memory banks universally. The same sense amplifiers, decoders, and control logic can be activated for any bank, reducing the need for dedicated circuits for each bank and thereby reducing overall device area while enabling power management.
3Use of energy by moving object
If address matching is implemented for power reduction, then power consumption decreases, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The address decoding function is segmented and distributed to each memory bank's control logic. Each bank has its own address matching circuit that independently evaluates address bits, eliminating the need for a single complex centralized decoder and reducing overall circuit complexity while enabling selective power management.
Data Source
AI summary
A SRAM system having an address scheme and/or wire control layout. By preferentially accessing a defined address range mapped to SRAM array blocks located near a controller, significant power savings can be realized. In one embodiment, the address scheme determines a range physically closer to a central control location. In another embodiment, the wire control layout reduces number and length of active wires, further reducing power consumption.