Hamming Code Handoff for Distributed Memory Write Error Checking

The patent replaces software-based cache maintenance operations with a hardware-based coherency controller that automatically manages cache coherency. The coherency controller includes snoop filter banks, cache tag banks, and memory banks that operate in hardware to detect and maintain coherency states, eliminating the need for software intervention and thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining coherency reliability.

The coherency controller is configured to automatically monitor and maintain cache coherency without requiring software cache maintenance operations. The hardware controller self-manages the coherency states by intercepting memory access requests, checking cache tags, and coordinating between multiple caches, thereby enabling the system to self-service its coherency needs and improve operational efficiency.

The patent introduces a coherency controller as an intermediary between multiple processing cores and shared memory. The controller intercepts memory access requests from multiple cores, checks cache tag banks to determine coherency states, and coordinates access to ensure that all cores retrieve up-to-date data. This intermediary mechanism enables multi-core access capability while maintaining data coherency reliability.

The coherency controller implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring cache access patterns and coherency states. When a memory access request is intercepted, the controller checks the cache tag banks, determines the current coherency state, and provides feedback to coordinate subsequent accesses. This feedback loop ensures that multiple cores can access shared memory simultaneously while maintaining data coherency.

The patent merges the coherency control functionality into the memory controller itself, combining cache tag banks, snoop filter banks, and memory banks into a unified coherency controller. This integration allows the memory controller to simultaneously manage memory access and enforce coherency policies, thereby maintaining operational efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.

The coherency controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a memory controller and a coherency management unit. It handles memory access requests, checks cache tags, monitors coherency states, and coordinates between multiple caches, thereby performing multiple functions within a single controller and avoiding the need for separate coherency management hardware that would increase complexity.