ECC-to-Parity Data Path With Continuous Error Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data protection schemes face challenges in seamlessly converting data from Error-Correcting Code (ECC) protection to parity protection without leaving the data unprotected during transmission in computer systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that reads ECC-protected data from memory, generates new parity, and ensures continuous protection by using ECC and parity bits throughout the conversion process, correcting errors if necessary before transmitting data to downstream logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is converted from ECC protection to parity protection, then the data protection scheme can be adapted to downstream devices, but the data may become unprotected during the conversion process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating parity bits for the data word immediately after reading from ECC-protected memory, before the ECC protection is removed. This ensures that the data has parity protection in place before the transition, preventing any unprotected state during conversion to downstream parity-protected devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by temporarily maintaining both ECC and parity protection simultaneously during the conversion process. The data flows through a transition zone where it is protected by both schemes, allowing seamless adaptation from ECC-based upstream devices to parity-based downstream devices without leaving the data vulnerable.
2Reliability
If both ECC and parity protection are applied during conversion, then data protection continuity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ECC and parity protection schemes in the data conversion path, allowing both protection mechanisms to operate simultaneously during the transition. This combining approach maintains continuous protection while managing complexity through integrated circuit design that handles both schemes in a unified conversion architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of protecting data during transmission from an ECC protection scheme to a parity protection scheme, including reading a data word and an associated ECC from an upstream device; generating parity for the data word; generating a new ECC from the data word; computing a syndrome of the associated ECC and the new ECC; determining, based on the syndrome, if an error is present in the data word or the associated ECC; correcting a correctable error in the data word; correcting the parity for the data word; and transmitting the corrected data word and the corrected parity for the data word to a downstream device.