Temperature-Adaptive Memory Refresh for Data Retention and Cell Durability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Memory devices with volatile memory face durability issues due to repetitive refresh operations that are not optimized according to temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A memory device that adjusts its refresh rate based on temperature information, using a refresh management circuit, counter, and temperature information analysis module to determine optimal refresh operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If refresh operations are performed periodically to preserve data, then data retention is improved, but memory cell durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retentionVSAvoidmemory cell lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the refresh rate adjustable rather than fixed. The refresh management circuit dynamically changes the refresh rate based on temperature information obtained from the memory cell array, allowing the system to adapt between data retention needs and memory durability protection according to environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of refresh rate based on temperature conditions. When temperature is high, the refresh rate is increased to maintain data retention. When temperature is low, the refresh rate is decreased to reduce wear on memory cells. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between data retention and memory lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a fixed refresh rate is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to temperature changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefresh control mechanismVSAvoidtemperature adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the refresh management circuit continuously monitor temperature information from the memory cell array and adjust the refresh rate accordingly. This closed-loop control allows the system to adapt to temperature changes while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The refresh management circuit autonomously monitors temperature and adjusts refresh operations without external intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting temperature conditions and modifying its own behavior, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250226023A1Memory device, memory system, and method of operating the memory system

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A memory device for performing refresh operations includes: a refresh management circuit configured to perform refresh operations on a memory device based on a refresh command received from the host; a counter configured to count a number of the refresh operations performed by the refresh management circuit; and a temperature information analysis module configured to obtain temperature information regarding a plurality of memory cells included in the memory device, wherein the refresh management circuit is further configured to: perform a predetermined number of the refresh operations during a first time period, based on determining that the predetermined number of the refresh operations are performed, receive the temperature information, and adjust a refresh rate of the memory device for a second time period based on the temperature information.