Memory Guard Fields for Selective ECC and Independent Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced non-volatile memory (NVM) devices face reliability issues due to reduced voltage ranges between logic values, making them sensitive to noise, and the embedding of error correction codes (ECCs) limits data manipulation, requiring a method to enable independent updating of data without block rewriting.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guard field associated with each word of a page, allowing for selective ECC coverage, enabling independent data updates by using a mask value when the guard value is disabled, thus allowing for bit-level manipulation without rewriting entire blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error correction codes (ECCs) are embedded into NVM devices to improve reliability, then error detection and correction capabilities are enhanced, but subsequent data manipulation is severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the page into multiple words, each with its own guard field. This segmentation allows selective ECC coverage where only certain words are protected by ECC while others remain freely manipulable. The guard field acts as a control segment that determines ECC applicability for each word, enabling fine-grained control over which data portions require error correction versus which can be freely updated.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying ECC to the entire page (excessive action), the patent applies ECC selectively to only those words that require it (partial action). The guard field mechanism enables this partial application by allowing the system to identify and protect only specific words within a page, leaving other words available for unrestricted manipulation. This resolves the contradiction by providing ECC protection where needed without imposing it universally.
2Quantity of substance
If multilevel cells are used to increase storage capacity, then the number of states per cell is increased, but the device becomes more sensitive to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the data structure. Words marked with guard fields enabled receive full ECC protection (high reliability quality), while words with guard fields disabled are available for frequent updates (high writability quality). This local differentiation allows the system to optimize each word's protection level according to its specific needs, balancing noise sensitivity mitigation with operational flexibility.
3Quantity of substance
If memory cell size is reduced to increase density, then storage capacity is improved, but retention and disturbance issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control over ECC protection through guard fields. The system can dynamically enable or disable ECC protection for specific words based on their current state and requirements. This dynamic approach allows frequently updated words to be temporarily excluded from ECC protection (reducing write overhead), while words requiring stable storage maintain full protection, adapting the reliability measures to actual operational needs rather than applying static protection universally.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to calculating an error correction code for a program page dependent on guard values that correspond to words of the program page. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.