Flash Memory Controller Dual-Dimensional ECC for Data Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash memory controllers have limited error correction capabilities, leading to high error rates during data reading, especially in data units within a three-dimensional block.
Innovation Solution
A flash memory controller with a specific buffer and an error correction code circuit that performs wordline-dimensional and finger-dimensional error correction code operations to generate check code data, correcting data errors in super blocks by utilizing both types of check code data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional error correction code operations are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of data storage is insufficient due to high error rates in three-dimensional blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the error correction process into two independent dimensions: wordline-dimensional error correction and finger-dimensional error correction. Each dimension has its own check code generation and correction operations, allowing the system to address errors in different spatial orientations within the three-dimensional block without requiring a completely redesigned complex error correction system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dual-dimensional error correction approach by adding finger-dimensional correction alongside the traditional wordline-dimensional correction. This multi-dimensional strategy enables the system to correct errors that occur in vertical (wordline) and horizontal (finger) directions independently, significantly improving reliability for three-dimensional flash memory structures
2Manufacturing precision
If single-dimensional error correction is used, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of data protection is insufficient for three-dimensional blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The error correction circuit is segmented into distinct functional units: a wordline-dimensional check code generation unit, a finger-dimensional check code generation unit, a wordline-dimensional correction unit, and a finger-dimensional correction unit. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently for its specific correction task, improving the precision of data protection while managing circuit complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances data protection precision by implementing error correction in two independent dimensions. The wordline-dimensional correction handles errors along vertical wordlines, while the finger-dimensional correction handles errors along horizontal fingers within the three-dimensional block. This dual-dimensional approach provides comprehensive protection against various error patterns that single-dimensional correction cannot address
Data Source
AI summary
A flash memory controller, to be coupled between a host and a flash memory module, includes an error correction code (ECC) circuit. The ECC circuit performs a wordline-dimensional ECC operation upon specific data, sent from the host to form a super block stored within the flash memory module, to generate wordline-dimensional check code data and performs a finger-dimensional ECC operation upon the specific data generate finger-dimensional check code data. The ECC circuit corrects an error of the superblock by using the wordline-dimensional check code data and the finger-dimensional check code data so as to obtain correct data content of the specific data.