Dual in-line memory module and operating method thereof

A DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) may include: one or more volatile memories, a nonvolatile memory having a first area where a reference parameter value which is expected to reduce the life expectancy of the volatile memory by a preset range or more, is stored and a second area where an excess counting value is stored, and a control circuit suitable for measuring an operation parameter value of the volatile memory, generating the excess counting value by counting the number of times that the operation parameter value exceeds the reference parameter value, and outputting the excess counting value stored in the second area to the outside through a preset pin in a preset operation mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0003843 filed on Jan. 11, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to semiconductor design, and more particularly, to a DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) capable of monitoring a parameter which has an influence on life expectancy, and an operating method thereof.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A semiconductor memory device is a memory device which is implemented by a semiconductor such as silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP) or the like. The semiconductor memory device is roughly classified into a volatile memory device and a nonvolatile memory device.

The volatile memory device is a memory device which loses data stored therein, when a power supply is cut off. Examples of the volatile memory device include an SRAM (Static RAM), DRAM (Dynamic RAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) and the like. The nonvolatile memory device is a memory device which retains data stored therein, even though the power supply is cut off. Examples of the nonvolatile memory device include a ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Electrically Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), flash memory, PRAM (Phase-change RAM), MRAM (Magnetic RAM), RRAM (Resistive RAM), FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM) and the like.

For efficient fabrication and improvement in capacitance and performance, most semiconductor memory devices may be commercialized in the form of a required system.

For example, a main memory used in a personal computer, a server or the like may be commercialized in the form of a module which has one or more volatile memory devices integrated on one PCB (Printed Circuit Board), and is mounted in a system through a slot. Among the modules commercialized in the form of a system, the most commonly used module is a DIMM.

The volatile memory device loses data stored therein when an external power supply is cut off, but has a higher read/write speed than the nonvolatile memory device. On the other hand, the nonvolatile memory device may retain data stored therein even though an external power supply is cut off, but has a lower read/write speed than the volatile memory device.

Therefore, the main memory which puts much value on the speed of a memory device may be fabricated in the form of a DIMM including one or more volatile memory devices.

The one or more volatile memory devices included in the DIMM may be each fabricated in the form of one chip, and subjected to a test operation for checking whether the violate memory device normally operates, before the volatile memory device is delivered after fabrication.

By performing the test operation on each of the one or more volatile memory devices included in the DIMM, it is possible to prevent a defective memory device from being included in the DIMM. Furthermore, it is possible to not only set a parameter condition of the DIMM, under which the memory device can be stably operated, but also to predict the life expectancy of the DIMM.

Although the DIMM was delivered after the test operation was performed during the fabrication process, the DIMM may not be used for its life expectancy, but a request for after-sale service may be received. Alternatively, although the DIMM is used for its life expectancy, the operation performance thereof may be significantly degraded. Alternatively, even after the DIMM is used for more than its life expectancy, the operation performance thereof may not be significantly degraded.

In these cases, since the products were already delivered, it is substantially impossible to find out why a DIMM fabricated through a similar process was not used for its life expectancy, the operation performance of the DIMM was significantly degraded even though the DIMM was used for its life expectancy, or the operation performance of the DIMM was not significantly degraded even after the DIMM was used for more than its life expectancy.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) which uses a parameter that has an influence on the life expectancy of the DIMM even after the DIMM is delivered, and an operating method thereof.

The problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) may include: one or more volatile memories; a nonvolatile memory having a first area where a reference value of a parameter, which is expected to reduce a life expectancy of the volatile memory by a preset range or longer, is stored and a second area where an excess counting value is stored; and a control circuit suitable for measuring an operation value of the parameter, generating the excess counting value by counting a number of times that the measured operation value exceeds the reference value, and outputting the excess counting value stored in the second area to the outside through a preset pin in a preset operation mode.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an operating method of a Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) which includes one or more volatile memories and a nonvolatile memory, the operating method may include: storing a reference value of a parameter decided through a test performed at a first time point, in a first area of the nonvolatile memory; measuring, after the first time point, an operation value of the parameter in each preset period until a second time point; storing an excess counting value in a second area of the nonvolatile memory, the excess counting value being obtained by counting a number of times that the measured operation value exceeds the reference value; and outputting the excess counting value stored in the second area to the outside through a preset pin in an operation mode set after the second time point.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a testing method of a volatile memory device, the method may include: periodically measuring a value of a parameter to store, in a non-volatile memory device packaged together with the volatile memory device, a number of the measured values each greater than a threshold stored in the non-volatile memory device; and outputting the number. The parameter may be related to one of a temperature, an operating power and a humidity of the volatile memory device.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, after one or more nonvolatile memories are included in the DIMM including one or more volatile memories, an operation parameter which is monitored while the fabricated and delivered DIMM is mounted and used, may be stored in the one or more nonvolatile memories.

Through the operation parameter, it is possible to check and analyze in which operation environment the fabricated and delivered DIMM has been used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements and features of this disclosure, however, may be configured or arranged differently to form other embodiments, which may be variations of any of the disclosed embodiments.

In this disclosure, the terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” and “including” are open-ended. As used in the appended claims, these terms specify the presence of the stated elements and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements. The terms in a claim do not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., an interface unit, circuitry, etc.).

As used in this disclosure, the term ‘circuitry’ or ‘logic’ refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ or ‘logic’ applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” or “logic” also covers an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term “circuitry” or “logic” also covers, for example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, an integrated circuit for a storage device.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on are used as labels for nouns that the terms precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. Further, although the terms may be used herein to identify various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element that otherwise have the same or similar names. For example, a first circuitry may be distinguished from a second circuitry.

Herein, an item of data, a data item, a data entry or an entry of data may be a sequence of bits. For example, the data item may include the contents of a file, a portion of the file, a page in memory, an object in an object-oriented program, a digital message, a digital scanned image, a part of a video or audio signal, metadata or any other entity which can be represented by a sequence of bits. According to an embodiment, the data item may include a discrete object. According to another embodiment, the data item may include a unit of information within a transmission packet between two different components.

FIG.1is a block diagram for describing an example of a DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a DIMM10in accordance with an embodiment may include one or more volatile memories11to18, one nonvolatile memory19, and a control circuit20. Furthermore, the DIMM10may further include one or more data input/output pins23, one or more command/address/clock input pins22, and one or more dummy pins21and24.

Each of the one or more volatile memories11to18may be one of an SRAM (Static RAM), DRAM (Dynamic RAM), and SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM). The present embodiment is based on that the volatile memory is a DRAM.

The one nonvolatile memory19may be one of a ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Electrically Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), flash memory, PRAM (Phase-change RAM), MRAM (Magnetic RAM), RRAM (Resistive RAM), and FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM). The present embodiment is based on that the nonvolatile memory is an EEPROM.

The DIMM10may store data DATA inputted through the data input/output pin23in the one or more volatile memories11to18included therein, or output the data DATA stored in the one or more volatile memories11to18included therein through the data input/output pin23, in response to a command CMD, an address ADDR, and an operation clock CLK, which are transferred through the command/address/clock input pin22.

The dummy pins21and24included in the DIMM10indicate arbitrary pins which are not used during the process of inputting/outputting the data DATA to/from the one or more volatile memories11to18.

At a first time point that the DIMM10is fabricated by a fabricator, a test operation may be performed on each of the DIMM10and the one or more volatile memories11to18included therein. According to the result of the test operation, a reference value of a parameter may be decided, which is expected to reduce, by a predetermined range or longer, the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the one or more volatile memories11to18included therein.

For reference, the test operation may be performed through separate test equipment which are physically distinguished from the DIMM10and the one or more volatile memories11to18included therein.

The reference value decided through the test operation may be stored in a first area of the nonvolatile memory19included in the DIMM10. Then, the DIMM10may be delivered to a user.

In an embodiment, the first area of the nonvolatile memory19may be a read only area. That is, after the reference value is stored once in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19during the process of fabricating the DIMM10, the stored value can be only read, but cannot be changed (overwritten).

In an embodiment, the reference value may include one or more of a reference temperature value, a reference power value, and a reference humidity value. Therefore, one or more of the reference temperature value, the reference power value and the reference humidity value, which are expected to reduce, by a preset range or longer, the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the one or more volatile memories11to18included therein, may be stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19at the point of time that the DIMM10is delivered to the user.

After the DIMM10is fabricated by the fabricator and delivered to a user, the DIMM10may be mounted and used by the user. After the DIMM10is mounted and sufficiently used, the DIMM10may be collected by the fabricator. The point of time that the DIMM10which has been mounted and sufficiently used by the user is collected by the fabricator may be a second time point.

The control circuit20included in the DIMM10may measure an operation value of the parameter, which is expected to reduce, by the predetermined range or longer, the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the one or more volatile memories11to18included therein, in each preset period between the first time point at which the DIMM10is fabricated and the second time point at which the DIMM10is collected. At this time, the preset period may be defined on the basis of how many times an operation clock CLK inputted to the DIMM10toggles. In an embodiment, the operation clock CLK inputted to the DIMM10may be a clock which toggles when the DIMM10operates in a normal mode, and does not toggle when the DIMM10operates in a sleep mode. That is, memory control logic (not illustrated) for controlling the operation of the DIMM10may toggle the operation clock CLK in the normal mode where the data DATA needs to be read from/written to the volatile memories11to18included in the DIMM10, and may not toggle the operation clock CLK in the sleep mode where the data DATA does not need to be read from/written to the volatile memories11to18included in the DIMM10.

Furthermore, the control circuit20included in the DIMM10may generate an excess counting value obtained by cumulatively counting the number of times that the measured operation value exceeds the reference value stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19, and store the excess counting value in a second area of the nonvolatile memory.

In an embodiment, the second area of the nonvolatile memory19may be an overwrite possible area. That is, whenever the excess counting value is increased, the control circuit20may overwrite the increased excess counting value to the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, instead of the existing excess counting value which has been generated and stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

For reference, examples of the case in which the DIMM10is collected by the fabricator may include the case in which the DIMM10is collected by the fabricator due to a request for after-sale service, which was made after an operation fault occurred within the warranty of the fabricator for the DIMM10, and the case in which the DIMM10is collected by the fabricator because the warranty of the fabricator has expired.

At this time, the type of the operation parameter may correspond to the type of the reference parameter. In an embodiment, the operation value may include one or more of an operation temperature value, an operation power value, and an operation humidity value. Similarly, the excess counting value may include one or more of a temperature counting value, a power counting value, and a humidity counting value.

Therefore, one or more of the temperature counting value obtained by cumulatively counting the number of times that the operation temperature value exceeds the reference temperature value in a mounting operation period between the delivery time point and the collection time point for the DIMM10, the power counting value obtained by cumulatively counting the number of times that the operation power value exceeds the reference power value in the mounting operation period, and the humidity counting value obtained by cumulatively counting the number of times that the operation humidity value exceeds the reference humidity value in the mounting operation period may be stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19at the point of time that the DIMM10is collected from the user.

When entering a preset operation mode after the second time point that the DIMM10which has been mounted and sufficiently used by the user is collected by the fabricator, the control circuit20included in the DIMM10may output the excess counting value, stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, through a preset pin21of the one or more dummy pins21and24. That is, the fabricator may receive the excess counting value, stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19included in the DIMM10which has been mounted and sufficiently used, through the preset pin21. The fabricator may check to which operation environment the DIMM10has been exposed while mounted and used, through the received excess counting value, and analyze the state of the DIMM10according to the check result.

In an embodiment, when the temperature counting value stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19of the DIMM10collected after the second time point exceeds 10,000, it may be that the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the volatile memories11to18included therein are hardly left. In another embodiment, when the power counting value stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19of the DIMM10collected after the second time point exceeds 7,000, it may be that the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the volatile memories11to18included therein are hardly left. In still another embodiment, when the humidity counting value stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19of the DIMM10collected after the second time point exceeds 5,000, it may be that the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the volatile memories11to18included therein are hardly left. In yet another embodiment, when a total counting value stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19of the DIMM10collected after the second time point, i.e., a value obtained by summing up two or more counting values of the temperature counting value, the power counting value and the humidity counting value, exceeds 22,000, it may be that the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the volatile memories11to18included therein are hardly left.

When the DIMM10is collected by the fabricator because the warranty period of the fabricator for the DIMM10has expired even though it was checked as in the above-described embodiment that the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the volatile memories11to18included therein were hardly left, the fabricator may check that the life expectancies thereof were not rapidly reduced even through the DIMM10was operated under a severe usage environment, and may adjust the warranty period of the DIMM10or alleviate the test condition in the fabrication process, thereby increasing the production yield.

Furthermore, when the DIMM10is collected by the fabricator due to a request for after-sale service, which was made after an operation fault occurred within the warranty period of the fabricator for the DIMM10, even though it was checked unlike the above-described embodiment that the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the volatile memories11to18included therein were left to a certain extent or more, the fabricator may check that the life expectancies thereof were reduced more rapidly than expected, under a severe usage environment, and may adjust the warranty period of the DIMM or secure durability through a more severe test in the fabrication process.

Furthermore, when the DIMM10is collected by the fabricator because the warranty period of the fabricator for the DIMM10has expired even though it was checked unlike the above-described embodiment that the life expectancies of the DIMM10and the volatile memories11to18included therein were left to a certain extent or more, the fabricator may reuse the collected DIMM10. For example, the DIMM10may be reused in a system which does not require high reliability.

For reference, the control circuit20and the nonvolatile memory19may be only components which are used by the fabricator to manage the DIMM and have no influence on a normal operation of the DIMM10, i.e., an operation of reading/writing data from/to the volatile memories11to18. Therefore, the content indicating that the control circuit20and the volatile memory19are included in the DIMM10may not be open to a user. Furthermore, the preset operation mode indicating an operation mode which the DIMM10can enter after being collected by the fabricator may not be open to a user.

FIG.2is a block diagram for describing an example of the control circuit included in the DIMM illustrated inFIG.1in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.2illustrates the detailed configuration of the control circuit20included in the DIMM10described with reference toFIG.1.

The control circuit20may include an operation measurement circuit201,204and207, a parameter comparison circuit202,205and208, a counter203,206and209, and an access circuit210.

The operation measurement circuit201,204and207may measure an operation value OP_TEMP, OP_POWER and OP_HUMIDITY in each preset period between the first time point that the DIMM10is delivered to a user and the second time point that the DIMM10is collected from the user.

The parameter comparison circuit202,205and208may generate a signal TEMP_SIG, POWER_SIG, and HUMIDITY_SIG which toggles when the operation value OP_TEMP, OP_POWER, and OP_HUMIDITY measured by the operation measurement circuit201,204and207exceeds a reference value REF_TEMP, REF_POWER, and REF_HUMIDITY stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19.

The counter203,206and209may increase an excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING, whenever the signal TEMP_SIG, POWER_SIG, and HUMIDITY_SIG generated by the parameter comparison circuit202,205and208toggles. At this time, the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING may be stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

The access circuit210may read the reference value REF_TEMP, REF_POWER, and REF_HUMIDITY stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19, and transfer the read value to the parameter comparison circuit202,205, and208.

Furthermore, the access circuit210may read the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING from the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, transfer the read value to the counter203,206and209, and then overwrite the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING, increased by the counter203,206and209, to the second area of the nonvolatile memory19. At this time, before the counter203,206and209starts the initial up-counting operation, the access circuit210may store the initial value of the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING as ‘0’ in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

Furthermore, when entering a preset operation mode after the second time point that the DIMM10is collected from a user, the access circuit210may output the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING, stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, through the preset pin21of the one or more dummy pins21and24.

In an embodiment, the reference value REF_TEMP, REF_POWER, and REF_HUMIDITY may include one or more of a reference temperature value REF_TEMP, a reference power value REF_POWER, and a reference humidity value REF_HUMIDITY. At this time, the type of the operation parameter may correspond to the type of the reference parameter. In an embodiment, the operation value OP_TEMP, OP_POWER, and OP_HUMIDITY may include one or more of an operation temperature value OP_TEMP, an operation power value OP_POWER, and an operation humidity value OP_HUMIDITY. Similarly, the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING may include one or more of a temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, a power counting value POWER_COUNTING, and a humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING.

When the types of the parameters are temperature, power and humidity, the control circuit20may be embodied as follows.

First, the operation measurement circuit201,204and207may include a temperature measurement circuit201, a power measurement circuit204, and a humidity measurement circuit207.

The temperature measurement circuit201may generate the operation temperature value OP_TEMP by measuring the current temperature of the DIMM10in each N multiples of the preset period (PD*N).

The power measurement circuit204may generate the operation power value OP_POWER by measuring a power value which is currently used by the entire one or more volatile memories11to18included in the DIMM10in each M multiples of the preset period (PD*M).

The humidity measurement circuit207may generate the operation humidity value OP_HUMIDITY by measuring the current humidity of the DIMM10in each K multiples of the preset period (PD*K).

Here, N, M and K each may be a natural number equal to or greater than 1. Furthermore, N, M and K may be set to different values, or two or more of N, M and K may be set to the same value. That is, the temperature measurement circuit201, the power measurement circuit204, and the humidity measurement circuit207may each perform the measurement operation in a different period, or two or more measurement operations may be performed in the same period.

The parameter comparison circuit202,205and208may include a temperature comparison circuit202, a power comparison circuit205, and a humidity comparison circuit208.

The temperature comparison circuit202may compare the operation temperature value OP_TEMP generated by the temperature measurement circuit201to the reference temperature value REF_TEMP read from the nonvolatile memory19through the access circuit210. The temperature comparison circuit202may not toggle the temperature signal TEMP_SIG when the comparison result indicates that the operation temperature value OP_TEMP is equal to or less than the reference temperature value REF_TEMP, but may toggle the temperature signal TEMP_SIG when the comparison result indicates that the operation temperature value OP_TEMP exceeds the reference temperature value REF_TEMP.

The power comparison circuit205may compare the operation power value OP_POWER generated by the power measurement circuit204to the reference power value REF_POWER read from the nonvolatile memory19through the access circuit210. The power comparison circuit205may not toggle the power signal POWER_SIG when the comparison result indicates that the operation power value OP_POWER is equal to or less than the reference power value REF_POWER, but may toggle the power signal POWER_SIG when the comparison result indicates that the operation power value OP_POWER exceeds the reference power value REF_POWER.

The humidity comparison circuit208may compare the operation humidity value OP_HUMIDITY generated by the humidity measurement circuit207to the reference humidity value REF_HUMIDITY read from the nonvolatile memory19through the access circuit210. The humidity comparison circuit208may not toggle the humidity signal HUMIDITY_SIG when the comparison result indicates that the operation humidity value OP_HUMIDITY is equal to or less than the reference humidity value REF_HUMIDITY, but may toggle the humidity signal HUMIDITY_SIG when the comparison result indicates that the operation humidity value OP_HUMIDITY exceeds the reference humidity value REF_HUMIDITY.

The counter203,206and209may include a temperature counter203, a power counter206, and a humidity counter209.

The temperature counter203may increase the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING in response to the temperature signal TEMP_SIG toggled by the temperature comparison circuit202.

The power counter206may increase the power counting value POWER_COUNTING in response to the power signal POWER_SIG toggled by the power comparison circuit205.

The humidity counter209may increase the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING in response to the humidity signal HUMIDITY_SIG toggled by the humidity comparison circuit208.

The access circuit210may read the reference temperature value REF_TEMP stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19, and transfer the read value to the temperature comparison circuit202.

The access circuit210may read the reference power value REF_POWER stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19, and transfer the read value to the power comparison circuit205.

The access circuit210may read the reference humidity value REF_HUMIDITY stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19, and transfer the read value to the humidity comparison circuit208.

Furthermore, the access circuit210may read the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, transfer the read value to the temperature counter203, and then overwrite the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, increased by the temperature counter203, to the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

Furthermore, the access circuit210may read the power counting value POWER_COUNTING stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, transfer the read value to the power counter206, and then overwrite the power counting value POWER_COUNTING, increased by the power counter206, to the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

Furthermore, the access circuit210may read the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, transfer the read value to the humidity counter209, and then overwrite the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING, increased by the humidity counter209, to the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

The access circuit210may generate a total counting value TOTAL_COUNTING by summing up two or more of the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, the power counting value POWER_COUNTING, and the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING, and additionally store the total counting value TOTAL_COUNTING in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

Furthermore, when entering a preset operation mode after the second time point that the DIMM10is collected from a user by a fabricator, the access circuit210may output all counting values stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, i.e. the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, the power counting value POWER_COUNTING, the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING, and the total counting value TOTAL_COUNTING, through the preset pin21of the one or more dummy pins21and24.

FIG.3is a block diagram for describing an example of the nonvolatile memory included in the DIMM illustrated inFIG.1in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, the nonvolatile memory19may include two areas31and32, i.e., a first area31and a second area32.

The first area31may be a read only area where the reference value REF_TEMP, REF_POWER, and REF_HUMIDITY decided through a test cannot be modified (overwritten) but can be only read, after the reference value REF_TEMP, REF_POWER, and REF_HUMIDITY was written once at the point of time that the DIMM10including the nonvolatile memory19was fabricated.

In an embodiment, one or more of the reference temperature value REF_TEMP, the reference power value REF_POWER, and the reference humidity value REF_HUMIDITY may be stored in the first area31of the nonvolatile memory19.

The second area32may be an overwrite possible area where the control circuit20can read the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING after the initial value of the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING was written at the point of time that the DIMM10including the nonvolatile memory19was fabricated, and can modify (overwrite) the increased excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING, whenever the counter203,206and209included in the control circuit20increases the excess counting value TEMP_COUNTING, POWER_COUNTING, and HUMIDITY_COUNTING.

In an embodiment, one or more of the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, the power counting value POWER_COUNTING, and the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING may be stored in the second area32of the nonvolatile memory19.

In another embodiment, the total counting value TOTAL_COUNTING and two or more of the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, the power counting value POWER_COUNTING, and the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING may be stored in the second area32of the nonvolatile memory19. At this time, the total counting value TOTAL_COUNTING may be a counting value obtained by summing up two or more of the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, the power counting value POWER_COUNTING, and the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING.

Furthermore, when entering a preset operation mode after the second time point that the DIMM10is collected from a user by a fabricator, the access circuit210may read all counting values stored in the second area32of the nonvolatile memory19, i.e. the temperature counting value TEMP_COUNTING, the power counting value POWER_COUNTING, the humidity counting value HUMIDITY_COUNTING, and the total counting value TOTAL_COUNTING, and output the read values through the preset pin21of the one or more dummy pins21and24.

FIGS.4A and4Bare block diagrams for describing an embodiment of the power measurement circuit among the components of the control circuit illustrated inFIG.2in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate an operating method of the power measurement circuit204in accordance with an embodiment, when the reference power value REF_POWER is included in the reference value, the operation power value OP_POWER is included in the operation value, and thus the power measurement circuit204for generating the operation power value OP_POWER, the power comparison circuit205for generating the power signal POWER_SIG, and the power counter206for generating the power counting value POWER_COUNTING are included in the control circuit20as illustrated inFIG.2.

Referring toFIG.4A, the power measurement circuit204included in the control circuit20may measure currents OP_CURRENT<11:18> used for the respective operations of the one or more volatile memories11to18included in the DIMM10, and then calculate the entire operation power value OP_POWER of the DIMM10through the measured currents OP_CURRENT<11:18>.

In particular, the power measurement circuit204may measure the currents OP_CURRENT<11:18> used for the respective operations of the one or more volatile memories11to18included in the DIMM10, in each M multiples of the preset period (PD*M), and then calculate the entire operation power value OP_POWER of the DIMM10through the measured currents OP_CURRENT<11:18>.

For reference, the method in which the one or more volatile memories11to18included in the DIMM10generate the operation currents OP_CURRENT<11:18> and provide the generated operation currents to the power measurement circuit204included in the control circuit20may be defined as a method pre-arranged during the process of fabricating the DIMM10. Furthermore, since the one or more volatile memories11to18included in the DIMM10and the power measurement circuit204included in the control circuit20may be all products which are fabricated by the fabricator, the presence and operation of the power measurement circuit204may not be open to a user.

Referring toFIG.4B, the power measurement circuit204included in the control circuit20may analyze information CURRENT_INFO of operation current applied from the outside through the specific input pin24of the one or more dummy pins21and24included in the DIMM10, and then calculate the operation power value OP_POWER through the analyzed current information.

In particular, the power measurement circuit204may analyze the information CURRENT_INFO of operation current applied from the outside through the specific input pin24of the one or more dummy pins21and24included in the DIMM10, in each M multiples of the preset period (PD*M), and then calculate the operation power value OP_POWER through the analyzed current information.

For reference, in order that the information CURRENT_INFO is applied to the DIMM10through the specific input pin24from the outside after the first time point that the DIMM10is delivered to a user, a device (e.g., memory controller or host) for controlling the DIMM10after the first time point needs to be able to generate the information CURRENT_INFO and transmit the generated information CURRENT_INFO to the DIMM10. At this time, the method in which the device for controlling the DIMM10generates the information CURRENT_INFO and provides the generated information CURRENT_INFO to the power measurement circuit204included in the control circuit20may be predefined in the specification during the process of fabricating the DIMM10. Therefore, the device for controlling the DIMM10may generate and transmit the information CURRENT_INFO with reference to the specification. That is, the presence and operation of the power measurement circuit204may be open to a user.

FIG.5is a flowchart for describing an operation of the DIMM illustrated inFIG.1in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.5, the operation of the DIMM10may be roughly divided into three sections. That is, the operation of the DIMM10may be divided into a DIMM fabrication section S51and S52, a DIMM mounting section S53to S57, and a DIMM analysis section S58and S59.

First, the DIMM fabrication section S51and S52may indicate a section before the DIMM10is fabricated and delivered by a fabricator.

The DIMM mounting section S53to S57may indicate a section in which the DIMM10is mounted and used by a user, after the DIMM10fabricated by the fabricator is delivered to the user.

The DIMM analysis section S58and S59may indicate a section in which the state of the DIMM10is analyzed after the DIMM10mounted and used by the user is collected by the fabricator.

Specifically, the DIMM fabrication section S51and S52may include deciding a reference value by performing a test on the DIMM10, in operation S51.

When the reference value is decided in operation S51, the decided value may be stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19included in the DIMM10, in operation S52.

When the reference value is stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19included in the DIMM10, in operation S52, the fabricator may deliver the DIMM10to a user.

After the DIMM10fabricated through the DIMM fabrication section S51and S52is delivered to the user, the DIMM10may be mounted and used by the user. That is, the DIMM mounting section S53to S57may start.

Specifically, when the DIMM10delivered to the user is mounted and used in the DIMM mounting section S53to S57, an operation clock CLK may toggle. Therefore, the control circuit20included in the DIMM10may determine whether a preset period has arrived on the basis of the number of times that the operation clock CLK toggles, in operation S53.

When it is determined in operation S53that the preset period has not arrived (NO in step S53), the control circuit20may wait until the preset period arrives.

When it is determined in operation S53that the preset period has arrived (YES in step S53), the control circuit20may measure an operation value in operation S54.

When the operation value measured in operation S54is less than the reference value stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19(NO in operation S54), the control circuit20may wait until the next period arrives.

When the operation value measured in operation S54is greater than the reference value stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19(YES in operation S54), the control circuit20may cumulatively count the number of times that the operation value exceeds the reference value, in operation S56.

The excess counting value obtained in operation S56may be stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19in operation S57.

When the operation value measured in operation S54is greater than the reference value stored in the first area of the nonvolatile memory19(YES in operation S54), the control circuit20may read the excess counting value stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19, and then increase the read counting value, in operation S56.

The increased excess counting value in operation S56may be overwritten to the second area of the nonvolatile memory19in operation S57. That is, the value obtained by cumulatively counting the number of times that the operation value exceeds the reference value may be stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19.

When the DIMM10is collected by the fabricator after the DIMM mounting section S53to S57, the DIMM analysis section S58and S59of the DIMM10may start.

Specifically, the fabricator may allow the DIMM10to enter a preset operation mode, such that the excess counting value stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19is outputted through the preset pin21of the one or more dummy pins21and24included in the DIMM10, in operation S58of the analysis section S58and S59.

That is, the fabricator may receive the excess counting value, stored in the second area of the nonvolatile memory19included in the DIMM10which has been mounted and sufficiently used, through the preset pin21, in operation S58. The fabricator may check to which operation environment the DIMM10has been exposed while mounted and used, through the excess counting value received in operation S58, and analyze the state of the DIMM10according to the) check result, in operation S59.

Although various embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Furthermore, the embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments.