Adaptive Memory Metadata Allocation for ECC and Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory solutions fail to provide varied memory functionalities across shared memory due to limited configuration metadata, leading to conflicts where implementing one service precludes the use of others.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive memory metadata allocation allows different memory services to be applied across various memory regions and pools by dynamically allocating metadata bits based on error rates and service requirements, enabling flexible configuration of ECC, encryption, isolation, and other services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If configuration metadata is used to support multiple memory services, then service versatility is improved, but metadata bit allocation conflicts occur where one service precludes another
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shared memory into multiple memory regions, each with its own configuration metadata indicating the specific services applied to that region. This segmentation allows different services (ECC, encryption, isolation) to be independently configured and applied to different regions without conflict, resolving the contradiction between service versatility and metadata allocation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each memory region to have customized service configurations tailored to its specific needs. Instead of applying services uniformly across all memory, each region can have different service combinations (e.g., high ECC coverage in one region, encryption-focused configuration in another), enabling versatile service support without global metadata conflicts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed metadata allocation is used for memory services, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but the ability to provide varied memory functionalities is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic metadata allocation where the configuration metadata for each memory region can be customized based on service requirements. The metadata allocation adapts to the specific services needed (ECC, encryption, isolation) rather than using a fixed allocation scheme, enabling varied memory functionalities while maintaining manageable implementation through region-level configuration.
3Reliability
If metadata bits are allocated to ECC services, then error correction capability is improved, but other services may be precluded due to limited metadata bits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory into regions where ECC services can be selectively applied based on error probability and service requirements. Not all regions need full ECC coverage, allowing metadata bits to be allocated dynamically - more to ECC in high-reliability regions and less in lower-risk regions, enabling both strong error correction where needed and flexibility for other services elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of metadata bit allocation based on service priorities and error probabilities. The system can adjust the number of metadata bits allocated to ECC versus other services (encryption, isolation) depending on the specific memory region characteristics and tenant requirements, resolving the conflict between reliability and service versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for adaptive memory metadata allocation. A processor may determine a first memory region of a plurality of memory regions in a memory pool coupled to the processor via an interface. The processor may modify a metadata of the first memory region from a first configuration to a second configuration, where the first configuration is associated with a first number of error correction code (ECC) bits and the second configuration is associated with a second number of ECC bits.