Updating One-Time-Programmable Memory While Preserving ECC
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Solution Overview
Problem
One-time-programmable memory (OTPM) with error correcting code (ECC) functionalities poses challenges in updating data without altering the ECC value, which is critical for maintaining error checking and correction functionalities, limiting flexibility in modifying stored data.
Innovation Solution
The memory controller and processing circuitry update specific bit positions, including spare or unused bits, to preserve the ECC value during data modification, ensuring that the ECC value remains consistent by identifying and updating additional bits to maintain error correction capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one-time-programmable memory is designed to be written once during manufacturing, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate because it becomes difficult to modify data during the lifetime of the memory
Solution Approach 1:
The memory is segmented into multiple blocks, where at least one block is designated as updateable while others remain fixed. This allows the system to maintain the reliability benefits of one-time-programmable memory while providing adaptability through the updateable block that can store modified data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the programmable state parameter of specific memory blocks from fixed to updateable. By configuring at least one block as updateable while keeping others fixed, the system achieves both high reliability (through the fixed blocks) and adaptability (through the updateable block).
2Reliability
If ECC check bits are stored in one-time-programmable memory, then error checking and correction functionalities are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because the ECC value cannot be altered during later data modification
Solution Approach 1:
The memory is segmented into multiple blocks, where at least one block is designated as updateable while others remain fixed. This allows the system to maintain the reliability benefits of one-time-programmable memory while providing adaptability through the updateable block that can store modified data.
Solution Approach 2:
When data needs to be updated in the fixed OTPM blocks, the system copies the updated data along with recalculated ECC values to the updateable memory block. This preserves the integrity of the original ECC-protected storage while enabling data modification through the copy mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is updated in one-time-programmable memory during its lifetime, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the ECC value may be altered, compromising error checking and correction functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The memory is segmented into multiple blocks, where at least one block is designated as updateable while others remain fixed. This allows the system to maintain the reliability benefits of one-time-programmable memory while providing adaptability through the updateable block that can store modified data.
Solution Approach 2:
When data needs to be updated in the fixed OTPM blocks, the system copies the updated data along with recalculated ECC values to the updateable memory block. This preserves the integrity of the original ECC-protected storage while enabling data modification through the copy mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic system such as an imaging system may include processing circuitry and memory circuitry. The memory circuitry may include one-time-programmable memory having error correction code functionalities (e.g., SECDED functionalities). The one-time-programmable memory may have a first set of previously programmed bits and a second set of unprogrammed and unused bits. The processing circuitry may process instructions to update a bit in the second set of bits. To preserve the ECC functionalities (e.g., the ECC check bits associated with the first and second sets of bits, the processing circuitry may also update additional bits in the second set of bits.