Classification Code Decoding for Soft Data in Memory ECC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory error correction techniques face challenges in efficiently utilizing soft data, which is slower and consumes more bandwidth compared to hard data, and require multiple reads to determine reliability, impacting memory throughput and error correction performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a classification code (CC) decoder to generate soft data based on hard reads from memory, which can be used in conjunction with LDPC codes, allowing for improved bit error rate (RBER) performance with minimal ECC overhead, and enabling efficient operation by leveraging only a small portion of the ECC overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soft data is determined by a soft read, then error correction performance is improved, but read speed decreases and bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing into two distinct paths: hard read for speed and soft read for reliability. The hard read provides initial data quickly, while the soft read is selectively applied only to portions of data that require error correction, thus maintaining overall system speed while improving error correction performance where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies soft read selectively rather than to all data. By identifying which specific data portions require error correction and applying soft read only to those portions, the system achieves improved error correction performance without the full bandwidth consumption and speed penalty of universal soft read.
2Reliability
If soft data is determined by a soft read, then error correction performance is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary soft data information needed for error correction rather than processing all data through soft read. By identifying and extracting only the specific data portions that require error correction, the system reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining improved error correction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies soft read selectively to only those data portions that require error correction, rather than applying it to all data. This partial application reduces the overall bandwidth consumption associated with soft read operations while still achieving improved error correction performance where needed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple reads are performed to determine reliability, then soft data accuracy is improved, but memory throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reading process into a first read for initial data retrieval and a second selective read for reliability determination. By dividing the reading process and applying the second read only to specific data portions that require error correction, the system maintains high memory throughput while achieving accurate soft data where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs multiple reads selectively rather than universally. By identifying which specific data portions require reliability determination and performing additional reads only for those portions, the system achieves accurate soft data for error correction while minimizing the impact on overall memory throughput.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for determining soft data using a classification code are provided. One example apparatus can include a classification code (CC) decoder and an outer code decoder coupled to the CC decoder. The CC decoder is configured to receive a CC codeword. The CC codeword includes a piece of an outer code codeword and corresponding CC parity digits. The CC decoder is configured to determine soft data associated with the piece of the outer code codeword, at least partially, using the corresponding CC digits.