Error Protection Key Architecture for Variable Data Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The proliferation of different data value sizes in data processing systems leads to significant design and verification costs due to the need for unique error protection keys for each size, making it inefficient to generate and implement error protection circuits.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating a key that comprises a plurality of sub-keys, where each sub-key is associated with a specific data value size and conforms to the requirements of the error protection scheme, allowing for the use of a generic set of sub-keys to handle various data value sizes, reducing the complexity and cost of error protection circuit design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a unique key is generated for each specific input data value size, then the error protection scheme can provide appropriate protection for each data size, but the design and verification costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror protection effectivenessVSAvoiddesign and verification costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent generates a single key that contains multiple sub-keys of different lengths, where each sub-key can be used for error protection of data values of corresponding sizes. This universal key structure eliminates the need to design and verify separate keys for each data size, while still providing appropriate error protection for various data lengths through the selective use of different sub-keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The key is segmented into multiple sub-keys of different lengths within a single key structure. Each sub-key corresponds to a specific data value size range, allowing the error protection circuit to select the appropriate sub-key based on the input data size. This segmentation enables a single key to serve multiple data size requirements without increasing overall design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple unique keys are generated for different data value sizes, then each data size can be protected appropriately, but the number of keys increases leading to higher design complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for various data value sizesVSAvoidnumber of keys to manage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal key contains multiple sub-keys that can handle various data value sizes, making the key management system versatile while simple. The error protection circuit selects the appropriate sub-key based on the input data size, providing adaptability without requiring multiple separate key management mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sub-keys of different lengths are nested within a single key structure. The key is organized such that sub-keys are contained within it, allowing the system to manage multiple keys for different data sizes through a single unified key object, thereby reducing the complexity of key management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If separate error protection circuits are designed for each data value size, then each circuit can be optimized for its specific size, but the overall system complexity and verification burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror protection accuracyVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A single error protection circuit is designed to handle multiple data value sizes by selecting appropriate sub-keys from the universal key. This universal circuit eliminates the need to design and verify separate circuits for each data size, reducing verification time while maintaining error protection accuracy through the use of size-appropriate sub-keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The error protection circuit dynamically selects the appropriate sub-key based on the input data size, allowing a single circuit to adapt to different data sizes. This dynamic selection mechanism enables the circuit to maintain optimal error protection accuracy for each data size without requiring separate static circuits for each size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3096228B1Error protection key generation method and system
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 ARM LTD
  • EP3096228B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3096228B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3096228B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An error protection key generation method and system are provided, the method being used to generate a key for use in computing an error protection code for an input data value according to a chosen error protection scheme. The method comprises inputting a plurality of desired data value sizes, and then applying a key generation algorithm to generate a key for use in computing the error protection code for a maximum data value size amongst the plurality of data value sizes. The key generation algorithm is arranged so that it generates the key so as to comprise a plurality of sub-keys, where each sub-key is associated with one of the input data value sizes, and where each sub-key conforms to a key requirement of the error protection scheme. As a result, a generic key is produced containing a plurality of sub-keys, where each sub-key is associated with a particular desired data value size, and can be extracted and used independently given that each sub-key conforms to the error protection scheme requirements. This provides significant benefits in the design and verification of error protection circuits using such keys.