Memory Write Clock Duty Feedback for Duty Error Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Memory devices face challenges in efficiently managing duty errors of write and read clocks, leading to degraded data reception performance due to duty cycle distortions during data transmission in memory systems.

Innovation Solution

A memory device with a clock receiver, duty monitor, and duty adjuster that adjusts the duty cycle of write and read clocks based on monitoring information, allowing for real-time correction of duty errors and optimization of clock signals to improve data synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If duty cycle adjustment is performed to correct clock skew, then data reception performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring and adjustment circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the duty monitor continuously monitors the duty cycle of the write clock and provides monitoring information to the memory controller. The memory controller then generates duty control signals based on this feedback to adjust the duty cycle through the duty adjuster, creating a closed-loop system that automatically corrects duty cycle errors while maintaining data reception performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a duty monitor as an intermediary component that measures the duty cycle of the write clock and translates it into monitoring information. This intermediary enables the memory controller to indirectly control the duty cycle adjustment without directly manipulating the clock signal, thereby managing complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time duty cycle adjustment is implemented, then data transmission accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous monitoring and adjustment operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic duty cycle adjustment where the duty adjuster modifies the write clock's duty cycle in real-time based on monitoring information from the duty monitor. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain optimal data transmission accuracy while only consuming additional power when adjustments are actually needed, rather than continuously operating at maximum power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If duty monitoring and adjustment functions are added to the memory device, then clock signal optimization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional control signals and monitoring operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock signal optimizationVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the memory device autonomously monitors its own clock signal duty cycle and performs self-correction through the duty adjuster. The duty monitor continuously checks the write clock duty cycle and the memory controller automatically generates adjustment signals without external intervention, allowing the system to self-optimize clock signals while maintaining ease of operation through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3522164B1Memory device adjusting duty cycle and memory system having the same
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3522164B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3522164B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3522164B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A memory device (200) includes a clock receiver configured to receive, from a memory controller (100), a write clock (WCK) that is used to receive write data (DQ) during a data write operation, a duty monitor (220) configured to generate first monitoring information by monitoring a duty of the write clock (WCK), and a duty adjuster (210) configured to adjust the duty of the write clock (WCK) in response to a duty control signal (Ctrl) and output an adjusted write clock. The memory device (200) provides the first monitoring information (D_Info) to the memory controller (100), and receives the duty control signal (Ctrl), generated using the first monitoring information (D Info), from the memory controller (100).