Device temperature adjustment

Systems associated with device temperature adjustment are described. A device temperature adjustment system can include an electronic device having a temperature sensor integrated therein to detect a temperature of the electronic device and a temperature adjust module coupled to the electronic device to adjust a temperature of the electronic device based on the detected temperature.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses and methods associated with device temperature adjustment.

BACKGROUND

Memory resources are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic systems. There are many different types of memory, including volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can require power to maintain its data (e.g., host data, error data, etc.). Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), and thyristor random access memory (TRAM), among other types. Non-volatile memory can provide persistent data by retaining stored data when not powered. Non-volatile memory can include NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, and resistance variable memory, such as phase change random access memory (PCRAM) and resistive random-access memory (RRAM), ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM), and magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), such as spin torque transfer random access memory (STT RAM), among other types.

Electronic systems often include a number of processing resources (e.g., one or more processing resources), which may retrieve instructions from a suitable location and execute the instructions and/or store results of the executed instructions to a suitable location (e.g., the memory resources). A processing resource can include a number of functional units such as arithmetic logic unit (ALU) circuitry, floating point unit (FPU) circuitry, and a combinatorial logic block, for example, which can be used to execute instructions by performing logical operations such as AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, and XOR, and invert (e.g., NOT) logical operations on data (e.g., one or more operands). For example, functional unit circuitry may be used to perform arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on operands via a number of operations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatuses, systems, and methods related to device temperature adjustment are described. Maintenance of device performance at extreme temperatures can be challenging in electronic devices. For instance, if a temperature of the electronic device exceeds a maximum allowed working temperature, memory devices within the electronic device may overheat, leading to overall device degradation and/or loss of data. When the temperature of the electronic device approaches lower limits, memory devices can face sudden shutdown issues and/or loss of data. For instance, memory devices in mobile phones and automobile global positioning systems (GPS) using DRAM or NAND memory may experience different extreme conditions during use (e.g., desert temperatures, frozen tundra temperatures, etc.), but may be difficult to regulate or may be unreliable in the extreme condition.

For example, in a mobile device, DRAM and NAND case temperature ranges can be very large (e.g., 100 degrees Celsius or greater), causing challenges in design, cost, and performance of the mobile device. Performance, for instance, may be throttled down to reduce a temperature of the mobile device. Similar issues may arise in automobile devices, which may have even larger temperature ranges (e.g., 150 degrees Celsius or greater). Other electronic devices may introduce similar challenges.

Examples of the present disclosure can maintain a temperature of an electronic device (e.g., within a particular temperature range) through the implementation of a thermal-responsive device. For instance, a phase change material or a photochromic material may be used in the electronic device to adjust the temperature of the electronic device via an endothermic reaction, an exothermic reaction, or the use of solar energy. The adjustment can be performed automatically, for instance without user intervention, in some examples. This automatic adjustment can keep the electronic device in the particular temperature range for optimal performance. This can allow for a more particular temperature range and increased performance of the electronic device, in some examples. A narrower particular temperature range can increase design choices by reducing design requirements and shorten a development phase which can reduce a time to market.

Examples of the present disclosure may be integrated into existing memory devices (e.g., NAND, DRAM, etc.) using an existing temperature sensor of the memory device, in some examples. For instance, a NAND memory device may include a feature and/or sensor to determine an internal operating temperature, and a host may be able to configure a lower and upper operating temperature of the NAND device. This may be used by a temperature adjust module to determine when a temperature adjustment should be made. A DRAM device may also include a sensor to determine an internal operating temperature, for instance.

Examples of the present disclosure can include a system including an electronic device having a temperature sensor integrated therein to detect a temperature of the electronic device and a temperature adjust module coupled to the electronic device to adjust a temperature of the electronic device based on the detected temperature. A phase change material and/or a photochromic material can be used, for instance, to adjust the temperature of the electronic device.

In the following detailed description of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how one or more embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and that process, electrical, and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” can include both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, “a number of,” “at least one,” and “one or more” (e.g., a number of memory devices) can refer to one or more memory devices, whereas a “plurality of” is intended to refer to more than one of such things. Furthermore, the words “can” and “may” are used throughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not in a mandatory sense (i.e., must). The term “include,” and derivations thereof, means “including, but not limited to.” The terms “coupled,” and “coupling” mean to be directly or indirectly connected physically or for access to and movement (transmission) of commands and/or data, as appropriate to the context.

FIG.1is a functional diagram representing a system100including an electronic device102in communication with a temperature adjust module104for device temperature adjustment in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device102, for example, can include a DRAM device, a NAND memory device, or another electronic device such as a mobile device that includes a memory device. The temperature adjust module104can be an apparatus having control circuitry configured to determine whether a temperature of an associated electronic device102should be adjusted and/or adjust the temperature based on the determination. As used herein, an “apparatus” can refer to, but is not limited to, a variety of structures or combinations of structures, such as a circuit or circuitry, a die or one or more die, a device or devices, or a system or systems.

The electronic device102can have a temperature sensor integrated therein to detect a temperature of the electronic device102(e.g., an internal temperature of a memory device), and the temperature adjust module104can be coupled to the electronic device102to adjust a temperature of the electronic device102based on the detected temperature. The electronic device102, for example, can include a PCM, and the temperature adjust module104can signal the PCM to adjust the temperature of the electronic device102. The adjustment, for instance, can include the temperature adjust module104inducing an exothermic reaction to increase the temperature of the electronic device102in response to the detected temperature falling below a particular temperature range or the temperature adjust module104inducing an endothermic reaction to decrease the temperature of the electronic device102in response to the detected temperature rising above a particular temperature range. The particular temperature range, for instance, can include a stable temperature range of the PCM, an optimal working temperature range of the electronic device102, or both.

The temperature adjust module104can, for instance, adjust the temperature of the electronic device102across an entire circuitry. The temperature of the electronic device102can be adjusted evenly over the electronic device102, for example. For instance, the temperature adjust module104can be configured to adjust a temperature of an entire area where the circuits of the electronic device102are designed, not just a temperature of a portion of the device (e.g., not just a portion of the cell structure).

In some examples, the electronic device102can include a photochromic material, and the adjustment can include the temperature adjust module104using the photochromic material to adjust the temperature of the electronic device102. For instance, the temperature adjust module104can be configured to use solar energy to increase a temperature of the electronic device102in response to the detected temperature falling below a particular temperature range and induce an endothermic reaction to decrease the temperature of the electronic device102in response to the detected temperature rising above the particular temperature range. In some instances, the system100can include a storage device to store solar energy collected by the photochromic material and used to increase the temperature of the electronic device102.

FIG.2is another functional diagram representing a system206including an electronic device208having a sensor210and a PCM212in communication with a temperature adjust module204for device temperature adjustment in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. The system206, in some examples, can be analogous to the system100described with respect toFIG.1.

The system206can include the electronic device208having the temperature sensor210integrated therein to detect a temperature of the electronic device208. The temperature sensor210may be an existing temperature sensor210of the electronic device208or a newly integrated temperature sensor210. The PCM212can be integrated into the electronic device. The temperature adjust module204can be in communication with the electronic device208and can raise the temperature of the electronic device208using the PCM212in response to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor210falling below a particular temperature range. For instance, the PCM212can release heat to the electronic device208via an exothermic reaction responsive to the temperature falling below the particular temperature range. This can reduce the risk of a sudden shutdown or loss of data, for instance, due to the electronic device208reaching a lower temperature limit.

The temperature adjust module204can lower the temperature of the electronic device208using the PCM212in response to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor210rising above a particular temperature range. For instance, the PCM212can absorb heat from the electronic device208via an endothermic reaction responsive to the temperature rising above the particular temperature range. This can reduce the risk of loss of data or degradation of the electronic device208, for instance, due to the electronic device208reaching a higher temperature limit. The temperature adjust module204, in some examples, can maintain the temperature (e.g., induce neither an endothermic reaction nor an exothermic reaction) in response to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor210being within the particular temperature range.

Put another way, the temperature sensor210may detect a temperature inside or outside of the particular optimal operating temperature for the electronic device208. An electrical signal214can be sent to the temperature adjust module204, which can determine whether the temperature of the electronic device208should be lowered, raised, or maintained. Based on the determination, a temperature control signal216can be sent to the electronic device208, the PCM212, or both, to adjust (e.g., induce the endothermic reaction or the exothermic reaction) or maintain the temperature of the electronic device208. In some instances, the temperature adjust module204may be integrated into the electronic device208.

The electronic device208, in some examples, may be a NAND memory device or a different electronic device having a NAND memory device therein. The temperature sensor210can be integrated into the NAND memory device. In other examples, the electronic device208may be a DRAM device or a different electronic device having a DRAM device therein. The temperature sensor210can be integrated into the DRAM device.

While a PCM212is described with respect toFIG.2, in some examples, the electronic device may alternatively or additionally include a photochromic or other material to raise or lower the temperature of the electronic device, as will be described further herein with respect toFIG.5.

FIG.3is a flow diagram318representing an example method for device temperature adjustment in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. The flow diagram318illustrates a sensor320integrated into an electronic device and in communication with a temperature adjust module304. The sensor320and the temperature adjust module304may be analogous to the sensor210and the temperature adjust modules104,204as illustrated inFIGS.1and2.

At322, the method includes the sensor320determining if the electronic device (e.g., an internal temperature) is within a particular temperature range (e.g., “Range A”). This temperature range may represent an optimal performance range (e.g., best working condition range) for the electronic device. If the sensor320determines the electronic device is within the particular temperature range, no adjustment to the temperature of the electronic device is made, as illustrated at324. However, if it is determined that the electronic device is outside of the particular temperature range, a determination is made (e.g., the sensor indicates) whether the determined temperature is above the upper limit of the particular temperature range at326or whether the determined temperature is below the lower limit of the particular temperature range at328.

If it is determined that the determined temperature is above the upper limit of the particular temperature range at326, the method continues to the temperature adjust module304inducing an endothermic reaction at330to lower the temperature of the electronic device by absorbing heat from the electronic device. The temperature adjust module304can induce the endothermic reaction, for instance, by sending an electrical signal to a PCM on the electrical device to trigger a phase change, for instance from “Phase A” to “Phase B”.

If it is determined that the determined temperature is below the lower limit of the particular temperature range at328, the method continues to the temperature adjust module304inducing an exothermic reaction at332to raise the temperature of the electronic device by releasing heat to the electronic device. The temperature adjust module304can induce the exothermic reaction, for instance, by sending an electrical signal to the PCM on the electrical device to trigger a phase change, for instance from “Phase B” to “Phase A”. The phase change enthalpy from Phase A to Phase B can be ΔH, with an endothermic reaction occurring when ΔH<0, and an exothermic reaction occurring when ΔH>0.

FIG.4is another flow diagram434representing an example method for device temperature adjustment in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. The flow diagram434illustrates an electronic device436in communication with a temperature adjust module404. The electronic device436and the temperature adjust module404may be analogous to the electronic devices102,208and the temperature adjust modules104,204,304. as illustrated inFIGS.1,2, and3.

The method includes the electronic device404having a PCM integrated therein, and the temperature adjust module404integrated into a system with the electronic device436. The PCM can be integrated into the device and may remain stable within a particular temperature range. In the example illustrated inFIG.4, no temperature sensor is present. The method includes the temperature adjust module404itself sensing a temperature of the electronic device436and introducing a phase change based on the determined temperature.

For instance, the temperature adjust module430can sense a temperature of the electronic device436and induce an endothermic reaction430in the PCM to decrease the temperature of the electronic device436in response to the sensed temperature rising above a particular temperature range. The endothermic reaction430can be induced by a first applied signal causing the PCM to change from a first state to a second state (e.g., Phase A to Phase B).

The temperature adjust module430can sense a temperature of the electronic device436and induce an exothermic reaction432in the PCM to increase the temperature of the electronic device436in response to the sensed temperature falling below a particular temperature range. The exothermic reaction432can be induced by a second applied signal causing the phase change material to change from the second state to the first state (e.g., Phase B to Phase A). The temperature adjust module430can maintain the temperature (e.g., induce neither the endothermic reaction430nor the exothermic reaction432) in response to the sensed temperature being within the particular temperature range.

FIG.5is yet another flow diagram538representing an example method for device temperature adjustment in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. The flow diagram538illustrates a sensor540integrated into an electronic device and in communication with a temperature adjust module504. The sensor540and the temperature adjust module504may be analogous to the sensor210,320and the temperature adjust modules104,204,304,4040as illustrated inFIGS.1-4.

At542, the method includes the sensor540determining if the electronic device (e.g., an internal temperature) is within a particular temperature range (e.g., “Range A”). This temperature range may represent an optimal performance range (e.g., best working condition range) for the electronic device. If the sensor540determines the electronic device is within the range, no adjustment to the temperature of the electronic device is made, as illustrated at544. However, if it is determined that the electronic device is outside of the particular temperature range, a determination is made (e.g., the sensor indicates) whether the determined temperature is above the upper limit of the particular temperature range at546or whether the determined temperature is below the lower limit of the particular temperature range at548.

If the determined temperature is above the upper limit of the particular temperature range at546, the method continues to the temperature adjust module504inducing an endothermic reaction at550to lower the temperature of the electronic device by absorbing heat from the electronic device. The temperature adjust module304can induce the endothermic reaction, for instance, by sending an electrical signal to a photochromic material on the electrical device to trigger a state change, for instance from state “A” to state “B”. The endothermic reaction, for instance, can be triggered by photonics.

If the determined temperature is below the lower limit of the particular temperature range at548, the method continues to the temperature adjust module504directly using solar energy to heat up the electronic device at552. The electronic device's temperature can be raised at552by releasing heat to the electronic device using solar energy collected by the photochromic material. In some examples, the system including the sensor540and/or the temperature adjust module504can include a storage device to store solar energy collected by the photochromic material and used to increase the temperature of the electronic device. The state change enthalpy of the photochromic material from state A to state B can be ΔH, with an endothermic reaction occurring when ΔH<0, and solar energy being used to heat the electronic device when ΔH>0. A phase or state change may not occur when heating the electronic device because of the direct use of solar energy.

FIG.6is a block diagram illustration of an example apparatus, such as an electronic memory system601in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Memory system601includes an apparatus, such as a memory device (e.g., electronic device)602, and a controller660, such as a memory controller (e.g., a host controller). Controller660might include a processor, for example. Controller660might be coupled to a host, for example, and may receive command signals (or commands), address signals (or addresses), and data signals (or data) from the host and may output data to the host.

Memory device602includes a memory array672of memory cells. For example, memory array672may include one or more of the memory arrays of memory cells disclosed herein.

Memory device602includes address circuitry668to latch address signals provided over I/O connections682through I/O circuitry680. Address signals are received and decoded by a row decoder670and a column decoder674to access the memory array672. For example, row decoder670and/or column decoder674may include drivers.

Memory device602may sense (e.g., read) data in memory array672by sensing voltage and/or current changes in the memory array columns using sense/buffer circuitry that in some examples may be read/latch circuitry676. Read/latch circuitry676may read and latch data from the memory array672. I/O circuitry680is included for bi-directional data communication over the I/O connections682with controller660. Write circuitry678is included to write data to memory array672.

Control circuitry664may decode signals provided by control connections662from controller660. These signals may include chip signals, write enable signals, and address latch signals that are used to control the operations on memory array672, including data read and data write operations.

Control circuitry664may be included in controller660, for example. Controller660may include other circuitry, firmware, software, or the like, whether alone or in combination. Controller660may be an external controller (e.g., in a separate die from the memory array672, whether wholly or in part) or an internal controller (e.g., included in a same die as the memory array672). For example, an internal controller might be a state machine or a memory sequencer. In some examples, controller660may be configured to cause memory device602and/or a temperature adjust module to at least perform methods disclosed herein.

As used herein, the term “coupled” may include electrically coupled, directly coupled, and/or directly connected with no intervening elements (e.g., by direct physical contact) or indirectly coupled and/or connected with intervening elements. The term coupled may further include two or more elements that co-operate or interact with each other (e.g., as in a cause-and-effect relationship).