Multi-element memory device with power control for individual elements

A method of controlling operation of a multi-element device having a plurality of memory elements, comprising:

• at a host device, setting a first control value and a second control value in one or more control registers of a respective memory element of the plurality of memory elements;
• wherein:
• the first control value, stored in the one or more control registers, is received from the host device and controls distribution of power to access circuitry of the respective memory element, which controls access to a memory array of the respective memory element;
• the second control value, stored in the one or more control registers, is received from the host device and controls distribution of power to the memory array of the respective memory element;
• the host device is external to the multi-element device;
• the respective memory element of the plurality of memory elements includes:
• the memory array;
• the access circuitry, to control access to the memory array;
• power control circuitry, including the one or more control registers storing the first control value and the second control value, the power control circuitry to control distribution of power to the access circuitry in accordance with the first control value stored in the one or more control registers, and to control distribution of power to the memory array in accordance with the second control value stored in the one or more control registers;
• and
• sideband circuitry for enabling a host device to set at least the first control value and the second control value in the one or more control registers;
• and
• setting a first control value and a second control value includes sending the first control value and second control value via the sideband circuitry of the respective memory element for storage in the one or more control registers.

A host device for controlling operation of a multi-element device having a plurality of memory elements, the host device comprising:

• control means for setting a first control value and a second control value in one or more control registers of a respective memory element of the plurality of memory elements;
• wherein:
• the first control value, stored in the one or more control registers, is received from the host device and controls distribution of power to access circuitry of the respective memory element, which controls access to a memory array of the respective memory element;
• the second control value, stored in the one or more control registers, is received from the host device and controls distribution of power to the memory array of the respective memory element;
• the host device is external to the multi-element device;
• the respective memory element of the plurality of memory elements includes:
• the memory array;
• the access circuitry, to control access to the memory array;
• power control circuitry, including the one or more control registers storing the first control value and the second control value, the power control circuitry to control distribution of power to the access circuitry in accordance with the first control value stored in the one or more control registers, and to control distribution of power to the memory array in accordance with the second control value stored in the one or more control registers;
• and
• sideband circuitry for enabling a host device to set at least the first control value and the second control value in the one or more control registers;
• and
• the control means is configured to send the first control value and second control value via the sideband circuitry of the respective memory element for storage in the one or more control registers.