Memory Controller Backup Area Switching for Multi-Error Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a memory system that can effectively correct multiple errors in stored data is complex and costly, as the likelihood of soft errors increases during advanced memory processes, necessitating a solution for multi-error correction.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a controller that writes data to both a normal storage area and a backup area, using an ECC function to correct errors, where if the data in the normal storage area includes at least two errors, the controller reads and outputs data from the backup area to ensure accurate data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a memory system uses traditional ECC function to correct errors, then single errors can be corrected, but multiple errors cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is segmented into a normal storage area and a backup area. The normal storage area stores data normally, while the backup area stores copies of important data. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple errors by switching to the backup area when the normal storage area contains too many errors, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex multi-error correction algorithms throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup area is pre-prepared with copies of data before errors occur. When multiple errors are detected in the normal storage area, the system can immediately switch to the pre-prepared backup data without needing to perform complex real-time correction operations. This preliminary action enables the system to handle multiple errors efficiently while maintaining relatively simple correction logic.
2Reliability
If a memory system implements multi-error correcting function, then multiple errors can be corrected, but the design becomes too complicated and costs too high
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex multi-error correction across the entire memory system, the patent segments the memory into normal and backup areas. Each area can use simple ECC correction, but the segmented architecture allows the system to achieve multi-error correction capability by switching between areas, thereby reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a backup copy of data in a separate backup area. This copying approach allows the system to recover from multiple errors by switching to the backup copy rather than requiring complex multi-error correction algorithms. The copying mechanism is simpler and more cost-effective than implementing full multi-error correction capability in the primary storage area.
3Reliability
If the controller always reads from the normal storage area, then read operations are fast, but data with multiple errors cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs feedback operations by checking the error status of data read from the normal storage area. When multiple errors are detected, the controller provides feedback to switch to reading from the backup area. This feedback mechanism ensures data integrity while maintaining fast read operations for error-free data, as the system only switches to the backup area when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The read operation is made dynamic by allowing the controller to switch between reading from the normal storage area and the backup area based on error conditions. For most reads, the fast normal storage area is used, but when multiple errors are detected, the system dynamically switches to the backup area to retrieve correct data, thereby balancing speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory with an error correction function includes a controller and a memory cell array. The controller optionally writes written data to a normal storage area and a backup area of the memory cell array, and when the controller reads first data corresponding to the written data from the normal storage area, if at least two errors are included in the first data, the controller reads the backup area to output second data corresponding to the written data from the backup area.