Selective ECC Check-Bit Merging for Data Block Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data processing methods face inefficiencies and inaccuracies in error detection and correction during data merging operations, particularly when dealing with large data blocks, as they require recalculating entire Error Correction Codes (ECCs) without verifying potential data corruption introduced during the merge process.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for selectively deriving and merging ECCs by identifying changed ECC check bits and modifying them based on the state of data units, allowing for accurate error detection and correction within merged data blocks without recalculating the entire ECC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire ECC is recalculated after merging data blocks, then data integrity is maintained, but processing overhead increases and system throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ECC calculation is segmented into individual check bit calculations. Instead of recalculating the entire ECC for the merged data block, the patent calculates only the individual check bits that may have changed due to the merge operation. This segmentation reduces the computational overhead while maintaining data integrity verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by calculating only the necessary portion of the ECC (specific check bits) rather than the complete ECC. By identifying and calculating only those check bits that correspond to modified data units, the system reduces processing requirements while still ensuring data integrity for the merged block.
2Reliability
If the entire ECC is recalculated after merging data blocks, then error detection capability is maintained, but processing time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ECC verification process is segmented to focus only on check bits that may have changed. The patent identifies which specific check bits need recalculation based on which data units were modified during the merge, thereby reducing the time required for error detection while maintaining comprehensive error detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of changed data units before calculating the ECC check bits. By determining which data units were modified during the merge operation, the system can pre-identify which check bits need recalculation, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining error detection capability.
3Productivity
If ECC overhead is reduced by selective check bit calculation, then system throughput improves, but fault isolation accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing error detection resources on the specific check bits that correspond to modified data units. Instead of uniformly processing all check bits, the system selectively calculates only those check bits that may have changed, thereby maintaining fault isolation accuracy for the modified portions while improving overall system throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to verify the accuracy of selective ECC calculation. By comparing the selectively calculated check bits against the expected values and using this feedback to identify errors in the merged data block, the system maintains accurate fault isolation while reducing processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for selectively deriving Error Correction Codes (ECCs) or other data integrity information for integration into merged data blocks. First data is merged into second data that is error-protected using an ECC generated by a coding algorithm. Bytes or other data units are identified in the first data to be merged into the second data. It is determined whether each of the check bits of the ECC will differ from its original state in response to merging the first and second data. The check bits of the ECC that have been determined to differ from their respective original states are modified to create a “merged ECC.” The resulting data block includes the merged data and the merged ECC.