Dual Write Buffer Memory Controller for Data Width Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory devices face challenges in efficiently processing write requests due to differences in data widths between the write request and the memory, leading to inefficiencies and potential memory deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A data writing device comprising a first write buffer with a matching data width for the write request, a second write buffer with a greater data width matching the memory, and a controller that manages data transfer between the buffers and the memory, optimizing data writing by handling hits and misses in the second write buffer to minimize memory writes and ensure data validity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is directly written from the write request to the memory, then the data width mismatch problem occurs, but using buffers with different data widths increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The write buffer is divided into two segments: a first write buffer matching the write request data width and a second write buffer matching the memory data width. This segmentation allows each buffer to handle data in its appropriate width format, resolving the data width compatibility issue while managing complexity through structured division.
Solution Approach 2:
The second write buffer acts as an intermediary component between the first write buffer and the memory. It receives data from the first buffer, performs width adaptation, and then writes to the memory, serving as a mediator that resolves the data width mismatch without requiring direct modification of the memory interface or write request structure.
2Reliability
If every write request is written to the memory, then data freshness is maintained, but memory wear increases and lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary checking before writing to memory by examining whether the requested data region is already present in the second write buffer. This preliminary action allows the system to determine in advance whether a memory write is necessary, preventing redundant writes that would increase memory wear while ensuring data freshness is maintained when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The second write buffer serves itself by automatically detecting when its stored data matches the write request data region. When a match is found (buffer hit), the buffer provides the data itself without requiring a memory write, making the system self-sufficient and reducing unnecessary memory operations that would shorten memory lifespan.
3Productivity
If the second write buffer is checked for every write request, then redundant writes are reduced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs a partial check in the second write buffer by comparing only the address region information rather than examining the entire data content. This partial action approach reduces the checking overhead significantly while still effectively identifying redundant write requests, maintaining high write efficiency with minimal time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller extracts only the essential address region information from the write request for comparison with the second write buffer contents, rather than processing the entire data payload. This extraction of critical identification information enables fast buffer hit/miss determination with minimal processing time while maintaining accurate redundancy detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for writing data to a memory, the device including: a first write buffer having a first data width that matches a width of write data included in a write request and wherein the first write buffer is configured to store the write data as first data; a second write buffer having a second data width that matches a data width of the memory and is greater than the first data width; and a controller configured to, based on a write address included in the write request and an address of the second data stored in the second write buffer, write the first data stored in the first write buffer to the second write buffer and write the second data stored in the second write buffer to the memory.