Self-Refresh Status Indication for Self-Refresh Exit

Abstract

Apparatuses and techniques for implementing self-refresh status indications for self-refresh exit are described. To save power, a memory device can control refresh operations, but the memory device is typically unavailable in this self-refresh mode. During self-refresh exiting, the memory device typically remains unavailable for normal array access operations while concluding any refresh operations that are already in progress. Portions of the memory array, however, are usually not performing a refresh operation. To enable a host device to perform read and write operations on these available portions during the self-refresh exit time, the memory device provides an indication of a self-refresh status in example implementations. The indication can be a Boolean variable that pertains to an entire array. Alternatively, the indication can include multiple bits that respectively correspond to multiple portions, such as memory banks or bank groups. In this way, the host device can return to normal operations sooner.

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