CPLD Memory Protection During System Initialization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems that use non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) to protect system memory during initialization are costly, making them impractical for lower-end small and medium businesses, as they increase system complexity and costs, limiting their market penetration.
Innovation Solution
A customizable programmable logic device (CPLD) interfaces with the BIOS to ensure system memory is maintained and refreshed during abnormal shutdowns, enabling data replay to persistent storage upon initialization, while deactivating the battery system during normal shutdowns to prolong battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NVRAM is used to protect system memory during initialization, then data integrity and reliability are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A battery-powered circuit acts as an intermediary between the system memory and the NVRAM, selectively enabling memory protection only when needed during initialization. This mediator component controls the power flow to preserve memory contents without requiring the entire system to adopt complex NVRAM architecture, thereby maintaining reliability while limiting complexity increase to only the essential protective function.
2Reliability
If NVRAM is used to protect system memory during initialization, then data integrity is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a simple, inexpensive battery-powered circuit instead of expensive NVRAM to protect system memory. The battery serves as a temporary, disposable power source that enables memory protection only during the critical initialization period, after which it can be depleted or replaced. This approach provides the necessary data integrity protection at a fraction of the cost of implementing full NVRAM architecture.
3Reliability
If battery system remains active during normal shutdown, then memory protection is maintained, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery-powered memory protection system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The system automatically activates the battery power only during abnormal shutdown conditions when memory protection is needed, and deactivates it during normal shutdown operations. This dynamic control ensures memory protection reliability when required while preserving battery life during routine operations through intelligent power management.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for protecting memory during system initialization is provided. A complex programmable logic device (CPLD) is operatively interconnected with a multiplexer to enable control of a memory to be switched between a memory controller and the CPLD in response to error conditions. If an error condition is identified, the CPLD assumes control of the memory and activates a battery subsystem to provide memory refreshes until system re-initialization. Upon system bring-up, interactions between the BIOS and CPLD assure that protected memory is fully recovered by the system. The contents of memory will remain protected from any further faults that may occur during the bring-up sequence.