Memory Device Access Heatmap Generation via Register Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for monitoring access operations in memory devices are resource-intensive and lack accuracy, as they often require significant storage and processing resources, and may not accurately track access frequencies, especially in scenarios with multiple access commands to the same address or access by multiple host devices.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with a register-based system that maps access operations to multiple fields, allowing each field to track access operations for a subset of addresses, thereby reducing resource utilization and improving monitoring accuracy. The system includes a mapping filter to distribute access operations across multiple fields, and a second register to track recently accessed addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a table with entries for each address is maintained to track access operations, then access frequency monitoring is achieved, but storage resources and processing load are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory address space into multiple segments or regions, each tracked by a separate counter. Instead of maintaining a single large table for all addresses, the system segments the monitoring task across multiple smaller counters, reducing the storage resources required for any single counter and distributing the processing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a limited number of counters that collectively monitor a portion of the address space at any given time. Rather than tracking all addresses simultaneously with full precision, the system uses partial monitoring coverage with multiple counters, achieving acceptable monitoring accuracy while consuming fewer resources than comprehensive tracking would require.
2Device complexity
If multiple counters are used to track access operations for different address subsets, then resource utilization is reduced, but monitoring accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the results from multiple counters to generate a comprehensive access heatmap. Each counter monitors a specific subset of addresses, and the system merges these partial results into a unified view of access patterns across the entire address space, achieving both resource efficiency and monitoring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the counter system to be multi-functional, where each counter can monitor different address subsets at different times. The same counter infrastructure serves multiple monitoring purposes by dynamically assigning address ranges to counters, maximizing the utility of limited counter resources while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If access operations are tracked for all addresses with full precision, then accurate access frequencies are obtained, but processing load and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different monitoring precision levels to different address regions based on their access patterns. Frequently accessed addresses or critical regions receive higher monitoring precision with dedicated counter attention, while less critical regions use coarser monitoring. This local differentiation of quality achieves accurate monitoring where needed while reducing overall processing load and storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for access heatmap generation at a memory device are described. In some examples, a memory device may maintain a register for tracking access operation occurrence, for which access operations of an address of the memory device may be mapped to multiple fields of the register. In some cases, in response to a first access operation performed on a first address of the memory device, the memory device may increment a first field and a second field of the register and, in response to a second access operation performed on a second address of the memory device, the memory device may increment the first field and a third field of the register. In some examples, the memory device may maintain a second register having a set of fields that each indicate a respective address for which an access occurrence satisfies a threshold.