Non-Volatile Memory Counter for Software Version Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory devices update software by overwriting the previous version, which does not allow for efficient management of software versions, particularly preventing the reloading of previous versions.
Innovation Solution
A non-volatile memory device with a matrix of memory cells, writing and reading circuitry, a counter sector, and logic means for scanning and updating memory cells, enabling monotonic or non-sequential updating methods while preventing the loading of previous software versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If software is updated by overwriting the previous version in volatile memory, then the updating process is simple, but the ability to manage multiple software versions efficiently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is divided into multiple non-volatile memory sectors, with each sector capable of storing a different software version. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple versions simultaneously rather than overwriting them, resolving the contradiction between simple updating and version management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-allocates multiple memory sectors for storing different software versions before updating occurs. This preliminary preparation enables efficient version management by having ready-made storage locations for multiple versions, avoiding the need to overwrite and lose previous versions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software versions are stored in non-volatile memory sectors, then version management capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each non-volatile memory sector is designed to be universally capable of storing any software version. This multi-functionality allows the same memory structure to handle multiple versions without requiring different storage mechanisms, thereby improving version management while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of software in different non-volatile memory sectors rather than maintaining a single master copy. This copying approach enables version management through simple duplication and selection, avoiding complex version control mechanisms while maintaining multiple versions.
3Measurement precision
If a counter sector is added to track software versions, then version control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter sector automatically tracks software versions through self-updating logic that increments the version number when new software is written to a sector. This self-service mechanism provides precise version control without requiring external tracking systems or complex manual version management.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter sector provides feedback about the current software version stored in each sector. This feedback mechanism enables precise version control by continuously monitoring and reporting version information, allowing the system to make informed decisions about which version to execute.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-volatile memory device includes a matrix of non-volatile memory cells, writing circuitry and reading circuitry for the memory cells of the matrix. The device comprises a counter including a sector of non-volatile memory cells and control logic capable of scanning the memory cells of the sector using the reading circuitry and of updating the sector by commanding the writing, using the writing circuitry, of a given value in a memory cell different from the memory cell containing said given value.