Memory Data Path Parity Encoding Using Reserved Codewords
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems lack effective data path protection schemes, particularly in the data path portion, leading to undetected errors and reduced reliability and performance due to insufficient error detection or correction capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implement a data path protection scheme that conveys parity information and poison indicators using reserved codewords, repurposing metadata encoders to communicate parity information and indicating errors without additional bit counts, ensuring end-to-end data protection during read and write operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error detection or correction bits are added to the data path portion, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the data path portion to handle both protected data transfers and error detection functions using the same infrastructure. The encoder is configured to generate parity information for error detection while maintaining its primary function of data encoding, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate dedicated error detection hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the existing encoder by configuring it to generate parity information in addition to or instead of poison information. This parameter change allows the encoder to provide error detection capabilities without requiring additional hardware components, effectively transforming the encoder's function through reconfiguration rather than adding new hardware
2Reliability
If parity information and poison indicators are conveyed using reserved codewords, then reliability is improved, but loss of information increases due to reserved/unused codewords
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interpretation and usage parameters of reserved codewords by configuring the encoder to generate parity information using these previously unused codewords. This transforms wasted resources (reserved codewords) into functional error detection resources (parity information), converting a loss of information into a gain in reliability without requiring additional transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harm of having reserved/unused codewords (which represent lost information capacity) into a benefit by using these same reserved codewords to carry parity information for error detection. The previously harmful limitation (lack of usable codewords) becomes the solution for providing end-to-end protection without additional overhead
3Device complexity
If metadata encoders are repurposed to communicate parity information, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation decreases due to encoding/decoding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by configuring the metadata encoder to perform dual functions: generating poison information when needed and generating parity information for error detection. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated encoders for different protection types, reducing overall device complexity while the encoding operations remain standardized and manageable through configuration rather than complex multi-component coordination
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for data path protection with parity information are described. A data path protection scheme for a data path within a memory system may include conveying poison information and parity information via the data path. A data encoder of the data path may convert data between first and second modulation schemes using codewords. The data encoder may repurpose a reserved, unused, or unassigned codeword to indicate the poison information. For example, the data encoder may output the reserved codeword to indicate that corresponding data is poisoned. The data encoder may output the reserved codeword in place of a portion of the poisoned data. An encoder previously used to encode the poison information may be used to convey the parity information in the data path, and may output a fourth codeword representative of the parity information to provide data protection for the data path.