Memory Error Injector Circuit for Controlled Software Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural memory errors in computer systems occur at a low rate, making it impractical to rely solely on their occurrence for testing memory error handling software, as testing would be time-consuming and difficult to verify.
Innovation Solution
A memory error injector that connects to a standard memory module and includes error injection logic to force data to a fixed state at specified memory locations, allowing for controlled and artificial introduction of memory errors, enabling efficient testing of memory error handling software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If natural memory errors are used for testing, then the testing process is simple and does not require additional hardware, but the testing time becomes very long and it is difficult to verify correctness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (error injection logic circuit) between the memory module and the memory controller. This intermediary actively generates artificial memory errors by manipulating data signals during transmission, enabling controlled error injection without modifying the memory controller or memory module themselves. The circuit uses multiplexers and XOR gates to selectively corrupt data based on control signals, thus mediating the error injection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data integrity by introducing controllable bit flips in the data transmission path. The error injection logic modifies specific bits of data being transmitted to or from memory locations, transforming normal data transmission into error-containing transmission. This parameter change enables systematic testing of error handling mechanisms without requiring actual physical memory failures.
2Device complexity
If natural memory errors are used for testing, then no additional complexity is introduced to the system, but the testing duration becomes unacceptably long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the error injection logic circuit with specific error patterns and injection rates before actual testing begins. The circuit is designed and positioned in advance within the memory module, with control registers pre-programmed with error injection parameters. This preliminary setup enables immediate error injection during testing without requiring real-time error generation or complex runtime configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The error injection logic circuit serves as an intermediary that actively generates errors on demand, eliminating the need to wait for natural errors to occur. By placing this intermediary in the data path between memory and controller, the system can inject errors at controlled rates and patterns, dramatically reducing testing time while adding only moderate hardware complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the natural rate of memory error occurrence is used for testing, then the testing approach is simple, but it is difficult to determine if memory error handling is correct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through control registers that allow the testing system to monitor and adjust error injection parameters in real-time. The control interface provides feedback on the state of error injection, enabling verification of whether errors are being injected as expected. This feedback loop allows testers to confirm that error handling mechanisms are responding correctly to injected errors, improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables precise measurement of error handling by allowing systematic changes to error injection parameters such as error rate, error patterns, and target memory locations. By varying these parameters and observing the system's response, testers can accurately verify whether memory error handling mechanisms work correctly under different conditions, significantly improving verification accuracy compared to passive natural error observation.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory error injector is defined to include a connector for enabling connection with a standard memory module receptacle. The memory error injector also includes a standard memory block defined to interface with the connector and operate in accordance with a standard memory specification. The memory error injector further includes error injection logic defined to force data transmitted to or from a specified memory location within the standard memory block to a fixed state, for a first number of access cycles addressed to the specified memory location. The error injection logic is defined to force the data to the fixed state during transmission of the data between the connector and the standard memory block.