Memory Controller Voting Circuit Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems consume significant energy due to the constant operation of error-correcting code (ECC) circuits, which are required to detect and correct internal data corruption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a voting procedure that duplicates data multiple times and uses a voting circuit to determine the majority content, activating the ECC circuit only if a CRC verifying procedure fails, thereby reducing energy consumption by minimizing ECC circuit usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ECC circuit is constantly operated to detect and correct data corruption, then data reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ECC circuit operation is made dynamic rather than static. The system adaptively activates the ECC circuit only when CRC verification fails, rather than operating it constantly. This dynamic operation mode maintains data reliability when needed while reducing energy consumption during normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a periodic verification approach where CRC checking is performed first, and ECC correction is applied periodically only when necessary. This two-stage verification process ensures data reliability while minimizing the energy consumption associated with ECC circuit operation.
2Measurement precision
If voting procedure with duplicated contents is used, then data verification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates multiple copies (duplicated contents) of the same data and uses a voting circuit to determine the correct value by majority vote. This copying approach improves verification accuracy by providing redundant information that can be cross-checked, while the voting logic remains relatively simple to implement.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system, a controller, a memory and a reading method thereof are provided. The reading method includes the following steps. A plurality of duplicated contents which are formed by duplicating one data content several times are received by a voting circuit. A voting procedure is performed by the voting circuit to obtain a voted content which is a majority of the duplicated contents.