A game console is a computer system that is mainly used for entertainment and uses source code that is only open to licensed software developers, with TV sets or other special displays and special input devices. The biggest difference between it and a personal computer is the closedness of the source code and software. All mechanical and electronic devices used by humans to play games can be called game machines. With the development of electronic technology and information industry, as well as the drive of the film and comics industries, electronic game consoles have become the actual representatives of game consoles. Due to its more professional game performance, even today with such a developed computer level, PC games still cannot replace the strong position of game consoles.
High-speed non-volatile cache The
gaming machine uses SRAM density (any value between 4 Mbit and 32 Mbit) as a cache for storing data processed during runtime. The cache used in these applications must be non-volatile to save important game data during power failures. The current RAM cache uses a backup battery to achieve non-volatility, and uses a 3.0 V battery to retain RAM content during power failure, as shown in Figure 1.
As people increasingly tend to eliminate batteries, other alternative non-volatile storage technologies are becoming more and more popular in game console design. Cypress has developed a battery-free monolithic non-volatile storage solution called non-volatile SRAM or nvSRAM. Cypress's NV-SRAM provides 25ns access speed (symmetrical read and write operations), which is far superior to battery-powered solutions, which can provide up to 45ns access speed in the best case. In most applications, cache is always preferred because it directly affects system performance.
Battery-powered SRAM solutions
Game consoles often use battery-powered SRAM (BBSRAM) to retain critical data during operation, and retain these data on battery power when the system power is off. BBSRAM uses low-power SRAM (or micro-power SRAM) IC, power controller IC and battery on the application board, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. BBSRAM interface with microcontroller
The BBSRAM solution requires additional components and PCB area. The battery must not be installed during the reflow process of SMD to avoid explosion due to overheating during the reflow soldering process. Other challenges associated with battery-based solutions are:
• Vulnerability to system vibration, which can make the mechanical connectors used to secure the battery unreliable
• Maintenance and replacement as planned
• Low mean time between failures
• Due to the use of the battery Hazardous ingredients, so strict green disposal/content laws must be followed.