Memory Metadata Column Planes for Single-Pass Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices face challenges in efficiently storing metadata while maintaining single-pass access and minimizing the loss of addressable memory space, leading to performance reductions in some applications.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with selectively configurable column planes that can store metadata, allowing single-pass access to data, metadata, and ECC data, and enabling flexible configuration to use metadata space for data when not needed, by selectively activating or suppressing column select signals to form virtual planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If metadata is stored in the memory array in column planes, then metadata can be retrieved along with data and ECC data in a single pass, but addressable memory space is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The memory array is segmented into distinct column planes: data column planes for storing data, a metadata column plane for storing metadata, and an ECC column plane for storing error correction code. This segmentation allows each plane to be independently accessed and managed, enabling single-pass retrieval of all three types of information while clearly delineating the space allocated for metadata versus data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension in the memory architecture by adding a dedicated metadata column plane alongside the traditional data and ECC column planes. This dimensional expansion organizes memory into a multi-plane structure where data, metadata, and ECC reside in separate but parallel planes, all accessible through a single column access operation, thus achieving single-pass retrieval without compromising the addressable space for data through virtual plane techniques.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple passes are used to retrieve data and metadata, then more efficient storage of metadata is achieved, but access time increases reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retrieval operations for data, metadata, and ECC into a single unified access operation. By organizing these three types of information into separate column planes that share the same address structure and access mechanism, the system can retrieve all three simultaneously in one pass, eliminating the time penalty associated with multiple sequential access passes while maintaining efficient metadata storage.
3Productivity
If column planes are allocated for metadata, then single-pass access to metadata is enabled, but flexibility to use space for data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability in the memory architecture, allowing the column planes to be flexibly assigned for different purposes. The system can be configured to allocate column planes for metadata when single-pass access is required, or reconfigure them to expand data storage capacity when metadata functionality is not needed. This dynamic reconfiguration capability maintains adaptability while enabling single-pass metadata access when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The column plane structure is designed with universal functionality, where the same physical memory resources can serve multiple purposes. The metadata column plane can be dynamically repurposed as additional data storage space when metadata operations are not required, and vice versa. This multi-functional design allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements without sacrificing the capability for single-pass metadata access when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A bank of a memory device may be divided into column planes. Each column plane may be associated with column selects. In some examples, one or more physical column planes may be selectively configured to store metadata. When the memory device is configured not to store metadata, the column selects may be arranged into virtual column planes to allow data to be stored in physical column planes used for metadata. The physical column planes may be arranged into virtual planes to store the data. Different mapping of the virtual planes to the physical planes may be used.