Memory Metadata Plane Mapping 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 increased access time and reduced performance in some applications.
Innovation Solution
The memory device is configured with additional column planes for metadata storage, allowing single-pass access to data, metadata, and ECC data, and can be selectively switched to operate without metadata storage, forming virtual planes to maintain compatibility with existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If metadata is stored in the memory array using existing column planes, then single-pass access is achieved, but addressable memory space is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The memory array is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first region for data storage and a second region for metadata storage. This segmentation allows metadata to be stored without consuming addressable memory space from the data region, enabling single-pass access while preserving memory capacity for user data.
Solution Approach 2:
Metadata is stored in an additional spatial dimension within the memory array structure - specifically in a separate column plane or region. This dimensional separation allows metadata and data to coexist without interfering with each other's addressable space, achieving both single-pass access and memory space preservation.
2Productivity
If metadata is stored using additional column planes, then single-pass access is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate both metadata storage and traditional data storage operations. The column planes are configured to serve dual purposes: storing metadata when needed and providing data access when metadata is not required, thereby enabling single-pass access without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device dynamically reconfigures its column plane usage based on operational requirements. When metadata storage is enabled, additional column planes are activated; when metadata is not needed, the device switches to traditional data-only mode. This dynamic adaptation allows single-pass access capability without permanently increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple passes are used to retrieve metadata, then metadata storage efficiency is improved, but access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges metadata retrieval with data read operations into a single simultaneous pass. By storing metadata in dedicated column planes that can be accessed concurrently with data, the system eliminates the need for separate metadata retrieval passes, thereby reducing access time while maintaining storage efficiency.
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.