Microsoft patents memory trick to cut power use in chips
This patent describes a way to manage how static random access memory (SRAM) prepares its data lines for reading. Instead of doing this preparation immediately, the system saves the instruction and applies it later when the memory is not busy with other tasks.
In the filing’s own words
Embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques for pre-charging an SRAM. A pre-charge signal may be used to apply a pre-charge voltage to bit lines in an SRAM memory bank. Features and advantages of the present disclosure include receiving a pre-charge signal in an SRAM and storing the pre-charge signal. The pre-charge signal may be received and stored on a cycle where the SRAM is performing a memory access. The stored pre-charge signal may be applied on a later cycle. In some embodiments, an SRAM is partitioned into multiple sub-banks, and multiple pre-charge signals are received and stored for different sub-banks. Stored pre-charge signals may be applied to the different sub-banks independently, for example.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A static random access memory (SRAM) circuit comprising: an SRAM memory bank configured to store bits of data, the SRAM memory bank comprising a plurality of bit lines; and an SRAM access control circuit coupled to the plurality of bit lines of the SRAM memory bank, the SRAM access control circuit configured to pre-charge the plurality of bit lines to access the stored bits of data, wherein the SRAM access control circuit receives, at a pre-charge request input, and stores a pre-charge signal for a subsequent cycle while the SRAM access control circuit is accessing stored bits of data in the SRAM memory bank on a current cycle, and wherein the SRAM access control circuit comprises a pre-charge-reset input to clear the pre-charge on the plurality of bit lines and to clear pre-charge signals stored in the SRAM access control circuit.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- Flexible SRAM pre-charge systems and methods for minimizing leakage and reducing power consumption
- Patent number
- US12749517B2
- Application number
- 18154436
- Filed
- Jan 13, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 19
Classified under
G11C 7/24 Physics & computingG11C 5/148 Physics & computingG11C 7/12 Physics & computingG11C 11/412 Physics & computingG11C 11/413 Physics & computingG11C 11/417 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in Chips & hardware
- Microsoft patents chips with liquid cooling built inside Oct 1, 2026
- Microsoft patents chip design that guesses code steps ahead Sep 8, 2026
- Microsoft patents 3D glass storage using laser light patterns Sep 8, 2026
- Microsoft patents hand-held radar reflectors for tracking movement Sep 8, 2026
- Microsoft patents video boost that reuses old frames to save power Sep 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.