ECC Codeword Flipping for Faster, Lower-Power Memory Writes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory storage devices face challenges in reducing write time and power consumption while improving reliability and endurance, particularly in rewritable non-volatile memory systems.
Innovation Solution
An encoding method and apparatus utilizing an error correcting code (ECC) algorithm that includes attaching a flip bit to write data, generating parity bits, and selectively flipping bits to minimize changes between the new and existing codewords, thereby reducing the number of bits changed during writing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ECC encoding is used for memory writing, then data reliability is ensured, but write time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by reading the existing codeword before writing, calculating the Hamming distance between existing and new codewords in advance, and determining the number of bit flips required beforehand. This allows the system to prepare the minimum necessary bit flips before the actual write operation, reducing the effective write time while maintaining data reliability through ECC encoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of bit flips by dynamically determining the number of flips based on Hamming distance calculation. Instead of always writing all bits or using fixed flip patterns, the system adjusts the number of bit flips to match the actual differences between codewords, reducing unnecessary write operations and power consumption while ensuring data integrity.
2Reliability
If traditional ECC encoding is used for memory writing, then data reliability is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing bit flips only for the necessary number of positions determined by Hamming distance calculation. Instead of flipping all bits or using excessive flip patterns, the system performs exactly the minimum required bit flips to transform the existing codeword to the new codeword, reducing power consumption while maintaining ECC reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of bit flip count based on the actual Hamming distance between codewords. By adjusting this parameter to match the minimum required changes, the system reduces power consumption proportional to the number of actual bit differences, while still ensuring data reliability through proper ECC encoding.
3Productivity
If bit flipping is minimized to reduce write time, then write speed improves, but encoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary Hamming distance calculation and bit flip position identification before the actual write operation. By calculating which bits need to be flipped and how many flips are required in advance, the system minimizes the critical write path complexity while achieving faster write speeds through optimized bit flip operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation step that determines the optimal bit flip pattern based on Hamming distance. This intermediary process acts as a mediator between the raw data and the final written codeword, identifying the minimum flip positions required. While this adds some computational steps, it simplifies the actual write operation by pre-determining the exact flips needed, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An encoding method for a memory storage apparatus adopting an ECC algorithm is provided. The memory storage apparatus comprises an ECC encoder. The encoding method includes: receiving a write command comprising a write address and a write data; reading an existing codeword; attaching a flip bit to the write data; encoding the write data and the flip bit to generate parity bits based on the ECC algorithm by the ECC encoder and attaching the write data and the flip bit to the plurality of parity bits to generate a new codeword; flipping the new codeword based on a number of bits among selected bits required to be changed from the existing codeword to the new codeword; and writing one of the new codeword and the flipped new codeword to the write address. In addition, a memory storage apparatus using the encoding method is provided.