Ternary Data Transmission Device Reducing Toggle Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current semiconductor memory devices face challenges in reducing power consumption during data transmission, particularly in converting binary data into ternary data for efficient transmission over multiple lines without simultaneous toggling, which affects the efficiency and reliability of data processing.

Innovation Solution

A data transmission device and method that converts binary data into ternary data using a code map, allowing output onto two lines with return-to-zero toggling, reducing the number of toggling events and enabling efficient decoding back into binary data, thereby decreasing power consumption and improving data transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If binary data is transmitted using conventional binary encoding over multiple lines, then data transmission capability is maintained, but power consumption increases due to simultaneous toggling of multiple lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the data encoding parameter from binary (2 states) to ternary (3 states: -1, 0, +1). This parameter change allows two bits of binary data to be encoded into one ternary symbol, reducing the number of signal lines and toggling events required for transmission, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining or improving data transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension in data representation by using ternary logic levels (-1, 0, +1) instead of conventional binary levels. This dimensional expansion in the signal space enables more information to be transmitted per signal event, reducing the frequency of toggling operations and associated power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Speed

If ternary data transmission is implemented without restrictions on line toggling, then data transmission speed increases, but reliability decreases due to simultaneous toggling of multiple lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ternary data transmission into controlled intervals where only one signal line toggles at a time. By dividing the transmission process into discrete time slots with single-line toggling constraints, the system maintains high data transmission speed while ensuring reliability through reduced signal interference and collision risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If conventional binary data transmission is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but power consumption increases due to higher toggling frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidencoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ternary encoder as an intermediary device that converts binary data into ternary format before transmission. This intermediary component handles the encoding complexity locally, allowing the transmission system to benefit from reduced power consumption without requiring complex ternary logic throughout the entire system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic ternary encoding where two binary bits are consistently mapped to one ternary symbol in regular intervals. This periodic structure creates a predictable encoding pattern that simplifies the implementation logic while achieving significant power savings through reduced toggling frequency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3820096B1Data transmission devices with efficient ternary-based data transmission capability and methods of operating same
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3820096B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3820096B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3820096B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A data transmission device includes first and second lines, and a transmitter configured to convert received binary data into ternary data and output the ternary data onto the first and second lines by toggling only one of the first and second lines during each of a plurality of consecutive 2-bit data transmission time intervals. A receiver is also provided, which is configured to receive the ternary data from the first and second lines and convert the received ternary data into binary data. The transmitter is configured to output the ternary data onto the first and second lines using return-to-zero toggling during each of the 2-bit data transmission time intervals.