Non-Volatile Memory Data Integrity via Redundant Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing systems lack mechanisms to protect system data stored in non-volatile memory from unauthorized access and compromise, which can lead to incorrect operation of the system.

Innovation Solution

A redundant copy of system data is stored in a secondary non-volatile memory inaccessible to the processor, with check values computed and stored for verification, allowing the embedded controller to repair compromised data using the redundant copy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If system data is stored in non-volatile memory, then data persistence is achieved, but data integrity protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprotection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-volatile memory is divided into two distinct regions: a primary region accessible to the processor for normal data storage and operations, and a secondary region inaccessible to the processor for storing redundant copies and check values. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data persistence while providing integrity protection through separate storage locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A redundant copy of the system data is stored in the secondary non-volatile memory region. This copy serves as a backup that can be used to repair compromised data in the primary region, ensuring data integrity without requiring complex real-time protection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If a redundant copy of system data is stored in secondary non-volatile memory, then data integrity is improved, but memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex encryption or real-time verification systems that consume more resources, the patent creates a simple redundant copy of the data in the secondary memory region. This copy can be used to repair compromised data, providing integrity protection with minimal additional memory usage compared to more sophisticated protection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If check values are computed and stored for verification, then data verification capability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata verificationVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Check values are computed and stored in advance in the secondary non-volatile memory region along with the redundant data copy. When data compromise is detected in the primary region, the pre-stored check values can be used for verification without requiring time-consuming real-time computation, thus reducing verification time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9990255B2Repairing compromised system data in a non-volatile memory

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A first non-volatile memory stores a redundant copy of system data that relates to a configuration of at least one physical component of a system, where the first non-volatile memory is accessible by a controller in the system and inaccessible to a processor in the system. It is determined whether system data in a second non-volatile memory accessible by the processor is compromised. In response to determining that the system data in the second non-volatile memory is compromised, the compromised system data in the second non-volatile memory is repaired.