Dual-Channel ECC Decoding for Two-Device Memory Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DDR memory systems face issues with uncorrectable errors when two memory devices fail simultaneously, leading to data loss and system downtime, as current correction methods are ineffective in such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A data processing method and apparatus that utilizes a Vandermonde-like matrix for encoding and decoding to simultaneously correct errors in two symbols by reading data from two storage channels, organizing the data into error correcting codewords, and performing decoding operations to obtain error-corrected symbols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ECC memory correction methods are used, then single error correction is achieved, but simultaneous correction of two errors is not possible leading to data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from two storage channels (first and second storage channels) to form a unified error correcting code system. By merging the data streams and applying a combined decoding operation using Vandermonde-like matrices, the system achieves the capability to simultaneously correct errors in two memory devices that would otherwise be uncorrectable by traditional single-channel ECC methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mathematical parameters of the error correction code by using Vandermonde-like matrices with specific structural properties. The encoding uses a matrix with parameters arranged such that the resulting code can detect and correct up to two simultaneous errors, representing a parameter change from traditional single-error-correcting codes
2Measurement precision
If uncorrectable errors are reported in traditional systems, then error detection is achieved, but system downtime occurs due to inability to correct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary error correction by decoding data from two storage channels simultaneously before the system would otherwise detect an uncorrectable error. The preliminary decoding operation using the specialized Vandermonde-like matrix structure identifies and corrects dual errors proactively, preventing the need for system downtime or memory replacement that would occur with traditional error detection methods
3Reliability
If memory devices are replaced upon error occurrence, then data integrity is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the memory system to self-correct errors by implementing a decoding mechanism that automatically identifies and repairs data corruption in two memory devices without requiring external intervention such as memory replacement. The system serves itself by using the redundant information from dual-channel reading and the mathematical properties of the error correcting code to restore corrupted data, thereby maintaining productivity and system availability
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a data processing method and apparatus, and a storage system. The data processing method includes reading two sets of burst data from a first storage channel and reading two sets of burst data from a second storage channel to obtain four sets of burst data; organizing the four sets of burst data into a group of error correcting codewords, the group of error correcting codewords includes k read-back data symbols and m read-back check symbols; and performing a decoding operation based on the group of error correcting codewords to obtain an error-corrected symbol.