Memory Error Code Generator Status Pin Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of memory devices cannot determine whether data stored in the device initially contains errors or has been corrected, as error correction is performed internally within the device without providing a data error status to the user.

Innovation Solution

A memory device with an error code generator that outputs a status code via external pins to indicate if an error was detected, corrected, or not corrected, allowing users to receive information about the data error status through an external system interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If error correction is performed internally within the memory device, then data integrity is improved, but the user cannot determine whether data initially contained errors or has been corrected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoiderror status information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary status code that mediates between the internal error correction process and the external user. This status code is generated based on the error detection and correction operations performed on user data, and is output through a dedicated status pin to convey error status information to the external system without interfering with the internal error correction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the output interface into two separate channels: one for data output and another for status code output. By using a dedicated status pin separate from the data pins, the system can simultaneously provide corrected data through the data bus while independently communicating the error status through the status pin, thus preserving both data integrity and error status information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If a status code output pin is added to indicate error status, then information about data errors is provided to the user, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror status informationVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The status code output pin serves multiple functions: it indicates various error statuses (correctable errors, uncorrectable errors, no errors), conveys data integrity information, and can potentially indicate the type of error that occurred. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of a single pin without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11403170B2Method and device for monitoring data error status in a memory

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO LTD

AI summary

A memory device includes an error code generator, one or more first pins coupled to an external data bus, and one or more second pins coupled to an external system interface. The one or more first pins output data chunks to the data bus during a period of memory operation; and the error code generator is configured to transmit a status code via the one or more second pins during the period of memory operation. The status code indicates at least one of an error was detected, an error was detected and corrected, or an error was detected and not corrected.