Memory Controller Data Error Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are unable to determine whether data transmitted from a memory device contains errors or has been corrected, as conventional error correction is performed internally within the memory controller without providing any data error status information to the user.
Innovation Solution
A method and device where a memory controller generates a data status indication code to indicate the error status of a data chunk, which is output to a user interface, either through a status pin or combined with the data chunk and sent on a data bus pin, allowing users to receive information about data errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error correction is performed internally within the memory controller, then data integrity is improved, but user awareness of data error status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the error correction process into two independent parts: (1) internal error correction that maintains data integrity, and (2) separate error status indication that provides information to the user. The error status indication code is generated independently from the corrected data and transmitted through a separate status pin, allowing users to know the original error status without affecting the corrected data output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary error status indication code that mediates between the internal error correction process and the user. This code carries information about the original data error status (whether errors were detected and corrected) without interfering with the corrected data itself. The status pin acts as an intermediary communication channel separate from the data bus.
2Loss of information
If error status information is provided to users, then user awareness of data quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the error status indication function with the existing ECC (Error Correcting Code) generation logic. The same ECC generator that produces correction codes also generates the error status indication code, utilizing existing hardware resources rather than adding completely separate complexity. The status pin can share timing and control infrastructure with existing data output mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring data error status of a memory device includes generating, by a memory controller, a data status indication code indicating error status of a data chunk transmitted by the memory controller and outputting, by the memory controller, the data status indication code to a user interface.