Non-Volatile Memory Mode Switching for Power and Data Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile semiconductor memories face challenges in balancing power consumption and data reliability across different applications, requiring separate devices for each product type, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with a non-volatile semiconductor memory that stores target data or its inversion, along with additional data, using a mode-switching mechanism. In one mode, the apparatus reduces power consumption by inverting data bits, and in another mode, it enhances data reliability through error detection codes, allowing a single device to serve multiple applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If data inversion is used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but data reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching between power-saving mode and high-reliability mode based on operational requirements. The system can adaptively change its behavior: in power-saving mode, data inversion is used to minimize write operations and reduce power consumption; in high-reliability mode, the system performs error detection and correction to ensure data integrity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for either power consumption or reliability depending on the situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of additional data content based on the selected mode. In power-saving mode, the additional data includes inversion flags that enable data inversion techniques. In high-reliability mode, the additional data includes error detection and correction codes. By changing what information is stored in the additional data field, the system can switch between optimizing for power consumption or data reliability without requiring separate hardware systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices are developed for different applications, then application-specific performance is optimized, but device complexity and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data processing apparatus that can serve multiple applications through a single device. The key mechanism is the mode selection circuit that allows the same hardware to operate in different modes: power-saving mode for battery-operated portable devices, and high-reliability mode for safety-critical applications like automobiles. The additional data control circuit generates different types of additional data (inversion flags or error correction codes) based on the selected mode, enabling one device to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing complexity and development costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory configured to store a storage data and an additional data control circuit configured to generate an additional data and add the additional data to a main storage data, and the additional data is different between a first mode and a second mode. The additional data control circuit includes a first mode circuit configured to generate the additional data in the first mode; and a second mode circuit configured to generate the additional data in the second mode. The storage data contains a target data or an inversion data of the target data, as the main storage data and the additional data.