ECC Memory Error Table for Known Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory systems lack the ability to distinguish between newly detected errors and known errors, which can lead to undetected failures and increased risk of permanent errors, especially in aging memory devices, and do not provide a method to correct errors beyond single-bit errors without compromising system integrity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an error further processing arrangement that includes an error table and table lookup unit to record and identify known errors, allowing for the distinction between new and known errors, and enabling correction of previously recorded errors, thereby enhancing error detection and correction capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ECC unit is used to detect and correct errors, then error detection and correction capability is improved, but the ability to distinguish between new and known errors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments error handling into two distinct components: the ECC unit for detecting and correcting errors, and a separate further processing arrangement with an error table for recording and tracking error history. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while preserving error information that would otherwise be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The error table acts as an intermediary between the ECC unit and the application. It receives error information from the ECC unit, stores it for future reference, and provides this information to the application when requested, thereby preserving error history without interfering with the ECC unit's primary function.
2Productivity
If error correction is performed automatically, then system availability is improved, but the risk of undetected permanent errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the further processing arrangement continuously monitor errors recorded in the error table and provide information to the application. This feedback loop allows the application to make informed decisions about system reliability and take preventive actions, such as scheduling maintenance or replacing components before permanent failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by recording errors in the error table before they can cause permanent damage. By tracking error patterns and providing advance warning to the application, the system enables preventive maintenance actions to be taken before the memory device fails completely, thus maintaining both availability and reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If error information is hidden during correction, then data integrity is improved, but error statistics and patterns are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of error information in the error table without altering the original data in memory. The further processing arrangement reads error information from the ECC unit and stores it separately in the error table, preserving both the corrected data integrity and the error statistical information for later analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system including a first memory for storing data and an ECC unit for accessing the first memory and for detecting errors in data retrieved from the first memory, and characterised by an error further processing arrangement operable to process errors detected by the ECC unit, the error further processing arrangement including a second memory for recording information relating to the detected errors. Also described is a method of operation in the memory system.