ECC-Masked Memory Updates for Lower Write Power and Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory update methods waste power and time by rewriting all data when only a small portion needs to be updated, due to the conventional practice of rewriting entire codewords after error correction.
Innovation Solution
Perform error correction on stored data, generate candidate to-be-written data based on error-corrected data and update indications, and apply a mask operation to write only the necessary data into memory, reducing power consumption and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all data of a codeword is rewritten after error correction, then data accuracy is ensured, but power consumption increases and write operation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the codeword data into multiple parts and identifies only the specific bits that need updating after error correction. Instead of rewriting the entire codeword, the system selectively updates only the modified bits, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing error correction on the entire codeword but then selectively writing back only the necessary updated bits rather than the complete codeword. This partial write operation reduces energy consumption and write time while still ensuring data integrity through the error correction process.
2Reliability
If all data of a codeword is rewritten after error correction, then data accuracy is ensured, but write operation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the codeword data to identify only the specific bits that require updating after error correction. By dividing the write operation into selective bit updates rather than a complete codeword rewrite, the system reduces write operation time while maintaining data accuracy through targeted updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial writing by updating only the necessary bits identified after error correction rather than rewriting the entire codeword. This partial action approach significantly reduces write operation time while ensuring data integrity through the error correction mechanism.
3Reliability
If error correction is performed on all stored data, then data accuracy is improved, but processing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs error correction as a preliminary action on the stored codeword data before the write operation. By completing the error correction process first and then selectively updating only the necessary bits, the system ensures data accuracy while minimizing the time spent on the actual write operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for updating stored information and an apparatus. A controller performs error correction code (ECC) decoding on stored data information based on the stored data information and stored ECC check information to generate an error-corrected codeword, where the error-corrected codeword includes error-corrected data information. The controller generates candidate to-be-written data information based on the error-corrected data information and a data update indication. The controller performs a mask operation on the candidate to-be-written data information based on the stored data information, and writes unmasked content in the candidate to-be-written data information into a memory.