Nonvolatile Memory Debugging Circuit for Interface Failure Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices lack effective debugging mechanisms for identifying failures in the interface between memory controllers and nonvolatile memory devices, making it difficult to diagnose and resolve operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A nonvolatile memory device with a debugging support circuit that stores and generates debugging information based on control and data signals, allowing for the output of this information in response to a debugging request, enabling the identification of failure causes in the interface between memory controllers and nonvolatile memory devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a debugging support circuit is added to the nonvolatile memory device, then debugging capability and fault identification are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The debugging support circuit is implemented as a separate functional module within the nonvolatile memory device, distinct from the main memory array and control logic. This segmentation allows the debugging functions to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire device architecture, thereby improving debugging capability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The debugging support circuit acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the existing memory device components and external debugging tools or controllers. It captures and processes signals from the memory device's internal operations and presents this information in a format suitable for external analysis, enabling enhanced debugging capability without requiring extensive modifications to the core memory device architecture.
2Measurement precision
If debugging information is stored and processed within the nonvolatile memory device, then fault identification accuracy is improved, but loss of time for normal operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The debugging support circuit continuously captures and stores control signals and data signals during normal memory operations, preparing debugging information in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when a fault occurs or debugging is requested, the information is already available for immediate analysis, thereby improving fault identification accuracy without requiring additional time during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The debugging support circuit operates continuously in parallel with normal memory operations, constantly monitoring and storing relevant signals without interrupting the primary function of the memory device. This continuous operation ensures that debugging information is always up-to-date and accurate while minimizing impact on normal operation timing.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method of a nonvolatile memory device includes receiving control signals and a data signal from external of the nonvolatile memory device, generating debugging information based on the control signals and the data signal, receiving a debugging information request from external of the nonvolatile memory device, and outputting the debugging information in response to the debugging information request.