Wordline Voltage Regulator Switching for Scalable Plane Reads

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory devices face challenges in scaling IWL reads due to high power consumption and area reduction as they require multiple dedicated voltage regulators for each plane, which becomes inefficient as the number of planes increases.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hybrid architecture with shared global voltage regulators and local regulators, utilizing a cascode switch to reduce the number of local regulators and optimize voltage application during IWL reads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple dedicated voltage regulators are used for each plane, then read performance is improved, but power consumption increases and area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges voltage regulation resources by implementing shared voltage regulators that can be dynamically allocated to multiple planes through cascode switches. Instead of having dedicated regulators for each plane, the system combines regulation resources and uses switching mechanisms to route voltage supplies to active planes, thereby reducing total regulator count while maintaining read performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic voltage supply allocation using cascode switches that can rapidly connect or disconnect voltage regulators from specific planes based on read operations. This dynamic switching allows the same voltage regulation resources to serve multiple planes at different times, optimizing power usage while maintaining the capability to support concurrent reads when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple dedicated voltage regulators are used for each plane, then read performance is improved, but area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread performanceVSAvoidarea

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges voltage regulation resources by implementing shared voltage regulators that can be dynamically allocated to multiple planes through cascode switches. Instead of having dedicated regulators for each plane, the system combines regulation resources and uses switching mechanisms to route voltage supplies to active planes, thereby reducing total regulator count while maintaining read performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes voltage regulators universal by designing them to serve multiple planes through the cascode switch architecture. Each voltage regulator can be dynamically assigned to different planes based on read operation requirements, making the regulation resources multi-functional rather than plane-specific, thus reducing overall area consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If the number of planes increases, then storage capacity is improved, but scalability deteriorates due to increased regulator requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes voltage regulators universal by designing them to serve multiple planes through the cascode switch architecture. Each voltage regulator can be dynamically assigned to different planes based on read operation requirements, making the regulation resources multi-functional rather than plane-specific, thus reducing overall area consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic voltage supply allocation using cascode switches that can rapidly connect or disconnect voltage regulators from specific planes based on read operations. This dynamic switching allows the same voltage regulation resources to serve multiple planes at different times, optimizing power usage while maintaining the capability to support concurrent reads when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12562227B2Voltage regulator supply for independent wordline reads

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A system includes a memory device having one or more planes and a first set of voltage regulators coupled to each plane of the one or more planes, where the first set of voltage regulators is shared by the one or more planes. The system includes a second set of voltage regulators coupled to a plane of the one or more planes configured to supply a respective voltage to one or more conductive lines responsive to a memory access operation request. The system includes a switch, at the plane of the one or more planes, coupled with a first voltage regulator of the first set of voltage regulators, a second voltage regulator of the second set of voltage regulators, and a first conductive line, the switch configured to selectively couple the second voltage regulator of the second set of voltage regulators to the first conductive line.