Low-Latency ECC Controller Interleaving Data Bytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ECC memory devices experience performance degradation and increased latency due to read-modify-write operations, and non-ECC systems face higher costs and power consumption when attempting to implement ECC functionality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Low-Latency ECC (LL-ECC) controller that interleaves data and ECC bytes throughout a memory device, allowing direct writing of ECC code words and avoiding RMW operations, thereby enhancing data throughput and reducing access latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ECC memory devices use read-modify-write operations to write partial data words, then error correction capability is maintained, but data throughput decreases and access latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ECC code word into separate data bytes and ECC bytes, allowing independent writing of data while maintaining ECC integrity. This segmentation enables partial writes without requiring read-modify-write operations, thus improving throughput while preserving error correction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores ECC bytes alongside data bytes in the memory device, so that when data is written, the corresponding ECC bytes are already prepared and can be written simultaneously. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for subsequent ECC recalculations and read-modify-write operations
2Reliability
If traditional ECC memory devices provide 8-bit parity for data words, then error detection and correction are enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ECC functionality from the memory device itself and places it in the controller. The controller generates and manages ECC bytes independently, allowing the use of simpler non-ECC memory devices while maintaining ECC capability through software/firmware processing in the controller
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the system and the memory device, handling all ECC-related operations. This intermediary approach allows standard memory devices to be used while the controller provides the necessary ECC processing, reducing overall system complexity compared to dedicated ECC memory devices
3Reliability
If ECC memory devices use wider interfaces to access data and ECC information simultaneously, then error correction is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive non-ECC memory devices combined with software-based ECC processing in the controller, rather than expensive dedicated ECC memory devices. This approach achieves sufficient ECC protection at a lower cost by using standard memory components with added computational functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A memory controller provides low-latency error correcting code (ECC) capability for a memory. In some implementations, the controller is configured to receive a memory access command that includes an address and a length associated with data that is to be transferred to or from the memory device, and transfer one or more bytes of data and one or more bytes of ECC information to or from locations of the memory device associated with the address and the length.