Configurable Burst Optimization for Parameterizable Buffer

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional memory sub-systems face performance losses due to the need for extra cycles to handle leftover bytes during burst write operations, especially when error-correcting codes are involved, leading to increased latency and reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

A buffer manager with a configurable and parameterizable architecture that designates clients as either 'burst-overwrite' or 'data-preserving' clients, using a finite-state machine to determine whether to perform a read-modify-write or a single burst-overwrite operation based on client designation, thereby avoiding unnecessary read cycles and pipeline stalls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional buffer manager performs read-modify-write operations for leftover bytes during burst write, then data integrity is maintained, but throughput decreases and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating client types (burst-overwrite clients vs. data-preserving clients) and applying different write strategies to each. For burst-overwrite clients, the system uses simple overwrite operations without read-modify-write, while data-preserving clients receive read-modify-write operations. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing for throughput where data integrity is less critical and maintaining integrity where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically configures client behavior based on client type designation. The buffer manager dynamically determines whether to perform read-modify-write or simple overwrite operations based on the client's designated type. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance characteristics based on the specific needs of each client, resolving the throughput-integrity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a conventional buffer manager performs read-modify-write operations for leftover bytes, then data preservation is ensured, but the number of cycles increases and pipeline stalls occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata preservationVSAvoidcycle count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating client types (burst-overwrite clients vs. data-preserving clients) and applying different write strategies to each. For burst-overwrite clients, the system uses simple overwrite operations without read-modify-write, while data-preserving clients receive read-modify-write operations. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing for throughput where data integrity is less critical and maintaining integrity where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by performing read-modify-write operations only when necessary (for data-preserving clients and when data preservation is required), rather than universally applying them to all clients. This selective application reduces unnecessary cycles and pipeline stalls while maintaining data preservation where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a configurable client designation system is implemented, then burst optimization flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburst optimization flexibilityVSAvoidbuffer manager complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using a configuration register to store client designations (burst-overwrite or data-preserving types). The buffer manager reads this configuration parameter to determine the write strategy. This parameter-based approach provides flexible optimization while keeping the complexity manageable through simple configuration rather than complex dynamic decision logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11599465B2Configurable burst optimization for a parameterizable buffer

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An incoming write request received from a client is accessed. The incoming write request comprises a write command to transfer write data to a buffer memory. An initial portion of the write data is written to the buffer memory. An alignment of a final portion of the write data with respect to a memory bank width of the buffer memory is determined. The client is determined to be designated as a burst-overwrite client. In response to determining that the final portion of the write data is unaligned with the memory bank width of the buffer memory, the final portion of the write data is written to the buffer memory without preserving previously stored data based on the client being designated as a burst-overwrite client.