Universal Memory Device Profile Storage Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital systems rely on multiple memory technologies for different functions, making it difficult to transition to a universal memory device that combines low-latency, non-volatile, and rewritable memory cells, as existing hardware and software architectures are designed for specific memory types, leading to compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with low-latency, rewritable, non-volatile memory cells, a profile storage unit, and an access control unit that differentiates between request profiles to manage access requests, allowing or rejecting them based on allocated access information, thereby adapting to various hardware and software environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal memory device combines low-latency, non-volatile, and rewritable memory cells, then memory functionality is improved, but compatibility with existing hardware and software architectures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device implements a universal memory cell that can operate in multiple modes (volatile, non-volatile, cached, storage) through software-configurable access characteristics rather than requiring separate hardware for each memory type. The profile storage unit stores access information that defines different request profiles, allowing the same physical memory to emulate different memory technologies based on software configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device dynamically changes its access characteristics based on software-configurable parameters. The access control unit modifies read/write latency, persistence behavior, and other memory properties in real-time according to the active request profile, allowing the memory to adapt its behavior to match different system requirements without hardware changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple memory technologies are used for different functions, then system compatibility is maintained, but device complexity and inventory cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a universal memory device that can replace multiple specialized memory technologies (SRAM, DRAM, Flash, ROM) with a single memory type. The memory cell operates in different modes controlled by software-configurable access characteristics, eliminating the need to stock and manage multiple different memory devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functionality of volatile and non-volatile memory, as well as cached and storage memory, into a single unified memory structure. The profile storage unit and access control unit combine previously separate memory management functions into one integrated system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access control is implemented with profile storage unit, then memory access flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control functionality is segmented into separate components: a profile storage unit that stores access information for different request profiles, and an access control unit that evaluates incoming requests against these profiles. This separation allows the access control logic to be configured through software-stored profiles rather than hardwired circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile storage unit acts as an intermediary between the incoming memory requests and the memory cell array. It stores access characteristics that define how different types of requests should be handled, serving as a configurable layer that translates generic memory operations into specific access patterns without requiring complex hardwired control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal memory device is presented that provides adaptability to existing hardware and software environments. The memory can “mimic” existing memory technology combining the advantages of integrating all memory capacity into one single technology and still providing the implicit protections and access characteristics known from the different existing memory technologies. The memory device comprises a memory having low-latency, rewritable, non-volatile memory cells, a profile storage unit connected with the memory and comprising access information allocated to a set of request information elements (request profile), such that the access information indicates whether an access request to said memory, the access request having the request profile, is to be allowed or rejected, and an access control unit communicating with the profile storage unit and the memory, and adapted to allow or reject an incoming access request in dependence on the access information allocated to the request profile of the access request.