Balancing current consumption between different voltage sources
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorAgostino Macerola
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a first switch coupled between a first voltage source and input/output (I/O) circuitry of a memory device, wherein the first voltage source is to supply power to core memory circuitry of the memory device. A second switch is coupled between a second voltage source and the I/O circuitry. Control logic is coupled with the first and second switches and to cause the second switch to be activated to permit current to flow from the second voltage source to the I/O circuitry. The control logic, in response to detecting a current draw from the I/O circuitry that satisfies a first threshold criterion, causes the first switch to be activated.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a first switch coupled between a first voltage source and input/output (I/O) circuitry of a memory device, wherein the first voltage source is to supply power to core memory circuitry of the memory device;
- a second switch coupled between a second voltage source and the I/O circuitry;
- and
- control logic coupled with the first and second switches, the control logic to perform operations comprising:
- causing the second switch to be activated to permit current to flow from the second voltage source to the I/O circuitry;
- and
- in response to detecting a current draw from the I/O circuitry that satisfies a first threshold criterion, causing the first switch to be activated.
A system comprising:
- a first voltage source to supply power to core memory circuitry of a memory device;
- a first switch coupled between the first voltage source and input/output (I/O) circuitry;
- a second voltage source to supply power to a set of I/O buffers of the memory device;
- a second switch coupled between the second voltage source and the I/O circuitry;
- and
- control logic coupled with gates of the first switch and the second switch, the control logic to perform operations comprising:
- causing the second switch to be activated to permit current to flow from the second voltage source to the I/O circuitry;
- and
- in response to detecting a current draw from the I/O circuitry that satisfies a first threshold criterion, causing the first switch to be activated.
A method of operating a memory device comprising a first voltage source to power core memory circuitry, a second voltage source, a first switch coupled between the first voltage source and a set of input/output (I/O) circuitry, a second switch coupled between the second voltage source and the I/O circuitry, and control logic coupled between the first switch and the second switch, the method comprising:
- causing, by the control logic, upon startup of the memory device, the first switch to be activated;
- and
- causing, by the control logic, in response to detecting a current draw from the I/O circuitry that satisfies a first threshold criterion, the second switch to be activated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.