Memory Error Detection Module for Persistent Fault Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in identifying and managing memory errors efficiently, leading to potential data loss and system instability due to the inability to effectively detect and isolate faulty memory locations in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detect memory errors during runtime, determine if they are correctable, identify the affected memory location, store a reference to it, and disable access to prevent data corruption, utilizing a memory error detection module and a processor to initiate disabling access to faulty memory locations, with a memory module incorporating a non-volatile reference table for persistent storage of error locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If memory errors are detected and faulty locations are disabled in real-time, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for error detection modules, reference tables, and access management mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting memory errors and identifying faulty locations during runtime before they cause data loss or system failure. The memory error detection module continuously monitors memory operations and proactively disables faulty locations by storing references in a persistent table, preventing future access to damaged areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A memory error detection module acts as an intermediary between the processor and memory system. This mediator detects errors, identifies faulty locations, and manages the disabling process by coordinating with the memory controller and operating system, isolating the complexity from the main system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If persistent storage of error location references is implemented, then data loss is prevented, but use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring and persistent memory operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata lossVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a persistent table with fixed-size reference entries that can be efficiently allocated and updated. Each error location reference is a simple data structure that can be quickly written to persistent memory without requiring complex resource management, enabling frequent updates with minimal energy overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The memory error detection module autonomously monitors memory operations, detects errors, identifies faulty locations, and updates the persistent reference table without requiring external intervention. The system self-manages the entire error handling process, reducing the need for additional control logic and energy-consuming coordination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If memory access is disabled for faulty locations during runtime, then system stability is improved, but productivity decreases due to reduced available memory capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

When a memory location is identified as faulty, the system discards it by disabling access and storing a reference in the persistent table. The memory controller uses the updated memory map to avoid the disabled location, effectively removing it from the available address space while maintaining system stability. The persistent table enables this discarding process to be efficiently managed without disrupting other memory operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Measurement precision

If real-time memory error detection is implemented, then measurement precision of error locations is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to the complexity of error identification and reference management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror location precisionVSAvoiderror detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The memory system is segmented into manageable components with the persistent table storing structured reference information for faulty locations. Each reference entry contains specific details about the error location, enabling precise identification and management. The memory error detection module processes memory operations in segments, checking for errors systematically rather than as a monolithic process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7783919B2System and method of identifying and storing memory error locations
Publication Date: 2010.08.24 DELL PROD LP
  • US7783919B2 patent drawing
  • US7783919B2 patent drawing
  • US7783919B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method of identifying and storing memory error locations is disclosed. In one form, a method of using a memory is disclosed. The method can include detecting a memory error during execution of a run time environment within an information handling system, and determining if the memory error is a correctable memory error. The method can also include identifying a first memory location within a first memory device causing the memory error, and storing a first reference to the first memory location within a persistent memory. The method can further include disabling use of the first memory location during use of the run time environment.