DRAM Column Plane Segmentation for Metadata Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
DRAM users face challenges in efficiently storing metadata without sacrificing array space for user data, as they are sensitive to losing density and want to minimize the time between internal read and data provision.
Innovation Solution
Portions of individual column planes in DRAM are used to store metadata, with specific column select signals accessing metadata, allowing for efficient mapping and storage, and optional use of remaining space for additional ECC data to provide SECDED.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If metadata is stored in the memory array, then metadata storage capability is improved, but array space for user data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The memory array is segmented into multiple column planes, with specific portions of individual column planes allocated for metadata storage while other portions remain available for user data. This segmentation allows simultaneous access to both metadata and user data through different column select signals, resolving the contradiction between metadata storage capability and array space availability.
2Quantity of substance
If metadata is stored in the memory array, then metadata storage capability is improved, but read time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The column planes are segmented to allow independent access to metadata portions and user data portions through different column select signals. This enables parallel or selective access patterns where metadata can be retrieved without blocking user data reads, thereby improving metadata storage capability while minimizing impact on read time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which column plane portions to access based on the operation type (metadata access vs. user data access). By making the access pattern dynamic and context-dependent, the system can optimize read operations to minimize time loss while maintaining metadata storage capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A bank of a memory device may be divided into column planes. Each column plane may be associated with column selects. In some examples, a portion of a column plane associated with one column select may be used to store metadata associated with data of the remaining column selects. In some examples, the metadata may be mapped to the data based on a portion of a column address. In some examples, whether the memory device provides metadata responsive to a column address may be based on a value stored in a mode register. In some examples, the portion of the column plane associated with the one column select associated with metadata may also store error correction code data associated with the data of the remaining column selects.