Volatile Memory Execute-Only Controller for Fast Code Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing execute-only-memory (XOM) technologies primarily utilize non-volatile memory, which has slow data access speeds, affecting operational efficiency and convenience.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a first memory controller, a second memory controller, and a memory access controller is designed to define a volatile memory as execute-only, using setting information to generate an enabling signal and move data to a predetermined memory space, thereby enabling execute-only functionality in volatile memory, enhancing access speed and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-volatile memory is used for execute-only-memory, then program code protection is achieved, but data access speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides memory into two types: non-volatile memory for storing program code (providing protection) and volatile memory for storing data (providing fast access). This segmentation allows each memory type to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between protection and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a memory controller as an intermediary that manages access to both volatile and non-volatile memory. The controller coordinates data transfers between these memory types, enabling the system to leverage both the protection benefits of non-volatile memory and the speed benefits of volatile memory.
2Speed
If volatile memory is used for execute-only-memory, then data access speed is increased, but memory protection functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory functions by using volatile memory specifically for execute-only operations (code execution) while maintaining non-volatile memory for data storage and protection. This functional segmentation allows volatile memory to provide fast access speeds while the overall system maintains protection through the non-volatile memory component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the memory controller multi-functional, handling both data access control and execute-only memory management. This universal controller ensures that protection functionality is maintained while enabling fast volatile memory access for execution operations.
3Reliability
If execute-only-memory is implemented in non-volatile memory, then code protection is achieved, but operational convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory operations into two pathways: one through non-volatile memory for protected code storage and another through volatile memory for convenient data access and execution. This segmentation restores operational convenience by allowing fast volatile memory access for execution while maintaining non-volatile memory protection for code integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller serves as an intermediary that mediates between the protection requirements of non-volatile memory and the operational convenience needs of volatile memory. It manages the coordination between these two memory types, ensuring both protection and convenience are achieved simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a first memory controller, a second memory controller, and a memory access controller. The first memory controller stores setting information of a predetermined memory, wherein the predetermined memory is defined as an execute-only-memory. The second memory controller provides and sets an enabling register according to the setting information of the predetermined memory, and generates an enabling signal. The memory access controller accesses the first memory controller and the second memory controller to move the data of the predetermined memory to a predetermined memory space corresponding to the enabling register according to the enabling signal and the setting information of the predetermined memory.