Memory Controller ECC Encoding Using Metadata-Linked Polynomials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Storing metadata in parity dies of memory reduces the error-correcting capacity of ECC, as conventional methods occupy data slots that could be used for error correction.

Innovation Solution

Associate metadata with memory data using a list of predetermined polynomials, encoding codewords without storing metadata in memory, and decoding metadata by identifying the polynomial that generates a no-error result during ECC decoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If metadata is stored in parity dies using conventional methods, then metadata can be stored in memory, but error-correcting capacity of ECC is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata storage capacityVSAvoiderror-correcting capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts metadata from conventional storage locations (data slots in parity dies) and stores it separately in host memory. This extraction allows ECC resources to be fully dedicated to error correction while metadata is maintained in a separate location, resolving the contradiction between metadata storage and error-correcting capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the host system stores and manages metadata separately from the memory parity dies. This intermediary approach allows both metadata preservation and full ECC functionality to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If metadata occupies data slots in parity dies, then metadata is stored, but valuable memory space for error correction is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata storageVSAvoidavailable memory space for ECC

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts metadata from the memory parity die structure and relocates it to host memory. This extraction frees up data slots in parity dies to be fully utilized for error correction codes, eliminating the space conflict between metadata and ECC.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves metadata storage from the spatial dimension of memory parity dies to the external dimension of host memory system. This dimensional transition resolves the space constraint by utilizing available host memory resources instead of competing for limited parity die space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250253869A1Devices, systems, and methods for encoding and decoding codewords

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A memory controller may receive memory data to be stored on a memory. A memory controller may receive metadata related to the memory data. The metadata may be selected from a predetermined list of metadata. A memory controller may identify an encoding polynomial of a plurality of polynomials that is associated with the metadata, each polynomial of the plurality of polynomials associated with different metadata from the predetermined list of metadata. A memory controller may generate a codeword using the encoding polynomial of the plurality of polynomials and the memory data.