Column Plane Memory Layout for Single-Pass ECC and Metadata Retrieval

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory devices face limitations in retrieving a greater number of bits, including parity and metadata, within a single access pass without incurring latency penalties, particularly in volatile memory like DRAM, where the architecture restricts the maximum number of bits that can be retrieved.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a memory device architecture with data column planes and an extra column plane to store metadata and error correction parity bits, allowing for a single-pass access of codewords by using different column select signals to prefetch data, metadata, and parity bits simultaneously, with optional operational modes to optimize latency and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional memory architecture is used to retrieve multiple bits including parity and metadata, then the number of retrievable bits increases, but access latency increases due to multiple access passes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of bits retrievedVSAvoidaccess latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The memory architecture is segmented into multiple independent column planes (first column plane, second column plane, third column plane) that can be accessed simultaneously. Data bits are distributed across the first and second column planes, while parity and metadata are stored in the third column plane, enabling parallel retrieval of all required bits in a single access pass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional dimension to the traditional memory architecture by adding a third column plane dedicated to storing parity and metadata. This dimensional expansion allows the system to retrieve data, parity, and metadata simultaneously through parallel column accesses, eliminating the need for sequential multi-pass access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If traditional memory architecture is used to retrieve multiple bits including parity and metadata, then the number of retrievable bits increases, but power consumption increases due to multiple access passes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of bits retrievedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The memory architecture is segmented into multiple independent column planes (first column plane, second column plane, third column plane) that can be accessed simultaneously. Data bits are distributed across the first and second column planes, while parity and metadata are stored in the third column plane, enabling parallel retrieval of all required bits in a single access pass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous useful action by performing data retrieval, parity retrieval, and metadata retrieval in a single uninterrupted access pass. All three column planes are accessed simultaneously in parallel, eliminating the idle time and repeated access operations required by traditional sequential architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of time

If maximum number of bits are retrieved in single-pass access, then latency is reduced, but the memory architecture complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess latencyVSAvoidmemory architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory architecture is segmented into multiple independent column planes (first column plane, second column plane, third column plane) that can be accessed simultaneously. Data bits are distributed across the first and second column planes, while parity and metadata are stored in the third column plane, enabling parallel retrieval of all required bits in a single access pass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12541425B2Apparatuses and methods for single-pass access of ECC information, metadata information or combinations thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for single-pass access of ECC information, metadata information, or combinations thereof. The memory array includes a number of column planes and an extra column plane. A memory device may be set in an ×4 single-pass operational mode. In this mode, the memory may store data in a selected ones of the column planes, and metadata may be stored in the extra column plane. An error correction code circuit (ECC) may store parity bits associated with the data and metadata in non-selected ones of the column planes. In this manner, the data, metadata, and parity may be accessed as part of a single access of the memory array.