Optional Memory Error Checking Coupler for Portable Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face space limitations that hinder the implementation of Error Correction Code (ECC) mechanisms, which are necessary for error checking and correction, leading to increased costs and reduced manufacturing flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A memory error checking system that includes a controller for transmitting memory and error check signals, a memory device coupler, and an error check device coupler, allowing for optional ECC functionality without requiring larger couplers or specific ECC-enabled memory devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ECC mechanisms are implemented in portable IHSs, then memory error checking capability is improved, but space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the error checking functionality into separate components: a memory device coupler for standard memory devices and a separate error check device coupler for ECC error checking. This segmentation allows portable IHSs to implement error checking capability while maintaining space efficiency by only including the error check device coupler when needed, rather than requiring all portable systems to accommodate larger ECC-enabled memory devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device coupler is designed to work with both standard memory devices and ECC-enabled memory devices, while the separate error check device coupler provides optional error checking functionality. This universal design allows the same memory coupler to serve multiple purposes depending on whether error checking is required, reducing space requirements compared to dedicated ECC implementations.
2Reliability
If ECC mechanisms are implemented in portable IHSs, then memory error checking capability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic configurability where the error check device coupler can be selectively included or excluded from portable IHS assemblies based on whether error checking capability is required for that specific application. This dynamic approach allows manufacturers to produce cost-effective versions without ECC capability while also producing enhanced versions with ECC when needed, optimizing manufacturing costs across different product lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The error checking functionality is extracted as a separate, optional component (error check device coupler) rather than being integrated into the standard memory device coupler. This extraction allows manufacturers to produce base models without the additional cost of ECC components, while offering upgraded versions with error checking capability only to customers who need it, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Device complexity
If standard memory device couplers are used in portable IHSs, then space requirements are reduced, but error checking capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The error check device coupler acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between standard memory devices and error checking functionality. It receives memory signals from the controller, performs error checking on data being written to memory, and validates data being read from memory, all while maintaining compatibility with standard memory device couplers and occupying minimal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The error check device coupler is designed to nest within the existing memory device coupler structure or operate in parallel in a space-efficient manner. The error checking functionality is embedded as an additional layer of operation rather than requiring a complete replacement of the memory device coupler, allowing standard coupler dimensions to be maintained while adding error checking capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory error checking system includes a controller that is operable to transmit memory signals and error check signals. A first memory device coupler is coupled to the controller and operable to couple to a first memory device. The first memory device coupler is operable to transmit the memory signals from the controller to the first memory device. A first error check device coupler is coupled to the contoller and operable to couple to a first error check device that is separate from the first memory device. The first error check device coupler is operable to transmit the error check signals from the controller to the first error check device to be used to error check the memory signals transmitted to the first memory device.