Subrow Addressing for Memory Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory devices consume excessive energy by activating and accessing all memory cells in a row, even when only a subset of data is needed for operations, leading to inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing subrow addressing, where a memory array is divided into subrows, allowing for selective activation and deactivation of only the subrows containing the required data, using a controller and subrow driver circuitry to manage the activation state of each subrow, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete row of memory cells is activated and accessed, then all data values in the row can be retrieved, but energy consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The memory row is divided into multiple subrows, each independently addressable. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the specific subrow containing the required data rather than the entire row, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining complete data access capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by activating only the necessary portion (specific subrow) of the memory row instead of the entire row. This partial activation reduces energy consumption proportionally to the size of the accessed subset relative to the full row, while still providing access to all data when required through full row activation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If only a subset of data is accessed from a row, then energy consumption is reduced, but the addressing protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The addressing protocol is segmented into row address and subrow address components. This segmentation allows the system to specify both the row and the particular subrow within that row, enabling selective access to data subsets while maintaining a structured and manageable addressing scheme rather than requiring a completely new complex protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a subrow dimension to the traditional row-column addressing scheme. By introducing this additional addressing dimension, the system can selectively access specific subrows within a row, reducing energy consumption for partial data access while maintaining protocol structure through hierarchical addressing (row + subrow).
3Use of energy by moving object
If subrow addressing is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced for partial data access, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The memory row structure is segmented into multiple subrows with independent control. This physical segmentation is accompanied by corresponding segmentation of control circuitry, allowing each subrow to be independently activated. The structural complexity is organized systematically through this segmentation, making the increased complexity manageable and justified by the energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of subrow activation states through control circuitry that can selectively enable or disable specific subrows based on access requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its active structure to the actual data access needs, reducing average energy consumption while maintaining the flexibility to access any portion of the memory row.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to subrow addressing for electronic memory and/or storage are described. Independent subrow addressing may enable energy consumed by performance of an operation on a particular subset of data values stored by a row to more closely correspond to the size of the particular subset of data values relative to energy consumed by addressing and activating the complete row. For instance, one such apparatus includes a plurality of subrows within a row of memory cells and a controller configured to selectably address and manage an activation state of each subrow of the plurality of subrows. The apparatus further includes subrow driver circuitry coupled to the controller. The subrow driver circuitry is configured to maintain one or more subrows of the plurality in the activation state based at least in part on signaling from the controller.