Volatile Memory Self-Diagnosis During Power Save Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Volatile memory devices face performance degradation during self-diagnosis operations, which can impact the reliability of electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A self-diagnosing method for volatile memory devices that performs diagnostics while the processor is in power save mode, allowing for section-by-section diagnosis and storage of results without degrading device performance, using self-refresh commands and stop bits to manage the diagnostic process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the memory device performs self-diagnoses while operating, then the reliability of the memory device is improved, but the performance of the electronic device is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-diagnosis during the self-refresh period, which is a pre-planned idle time window in the memory device's operation cycle. By performing diagnosis operations in advance during this predetermined period rather than during active data access, the system ensures reliability checks are completed without interfering with normal productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The self-diagnosis operation continues seamlessly during the self-refresh period without interrupting the overall operation of the electronic device. The memory device maintains continuous useful action by performing both data refresh and self-diagnosis simultaneously during the selfrefresh period, eliminating the need to stop productivity for reliability checks
2Measurement precision
If the self-diagnosis operation is performed during normal operation, then weak cells can be detected, but the operating performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs weak cell detection during the selfrefresh period, which occurs before the memory device needs to service data access requests. By conducting measurement operations in advance during this pre-planned window, the system achieves accurate weak cell detection without degrading operating speed during active periods
3Reliability
If self-diagnosis is performed frequently, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic self-diagnosis operations that are triggered at specific intervals during selfrefresh periods. Rather than continuous monitoring, the system performs diagnosis at predetermined periodic intervals, ensuring reliability is maintained while controlling power consumption by utilizing existing refresh cycles rather than adding continuous diagnostic overhead
Data Source
AI summary
In a self-diagnosing method of a volatile memory device, a processor outputs a self-refresh entrance command and enters a power save mode, and a volatile memory device performs a self-diagnosing operation for a plurality of memory cells in response to the self-refresh entrance command while the processor is in the power save mode.