Volatile Memory Overlay Window for Nonvolatile Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing embedded systems face challenges in efficiently accessing and transferring data between volatile and nonvolatile memory while maintaining flexibility and reducing interface complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

The system configures an overlay window within the volatile memory address space to access both volatile and nonvolatile memory devices, using a volatile memory interface to access the volatile memory array outside the overlay window and a nonvolatile memory interface to access the nonvolatile memory within the overlay window, enabling data transfers and command execution between the host and memory controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate volatile memory interface and nonvolatile memory interface are used, then memory access flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory access flexibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The volatile memory interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it can access both the volatile memory array and the nonvolatile memory device through the overlay window mechanism. This allows a single interface to handle diverse memory access operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining access flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The overlay window acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables the volatile memory interface to access the nonvolatile memory device. By mapping the nonvolatile memory device into the volatile memory address space through the overlay window, the interface can transparently route access commands to the appropriate memory device without requiring separate interface logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate volatile memory interface and nonvolatile memory interface are used, then memory access flexibility is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory access flexibilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the access paths to volatile and nonvolatile memory through the overlay window mechanism. By combining the interface requirements into a single volatile memory interface that can handle both memory types, the system reduces component count and manufacturing complexity, directly lowering production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If overlay window is configured to access nonvolatile memory via volatile memory interface, then interface complexity is reduced, but address space management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface complexityVSAvoidaddress space management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The address space is segmented into different regions, with the overlay window representing a specific segment that maps to the nonvolatile memory device. This segmentation allows the memory interface to distinguish between accesses to the volatile memory array and accesses to the nonvolatile memory device based on the address being accessed, simplifying the routing logic while managing address space systematically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The overlay window configuration is dynamic and can be adjusted through control registers. The base address and size of the overlay window can be modified to accommodate different memory mapping requirements, allowing flexible address space management without hardcoding specific address ranges, thereby reducing the complexity of address space configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7441070B2Method for accessing a non-volatile memory via a volatile memory interface

Publication Date: 2008.10.21 POLARIS INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide a method, devices, and system for accessing data in a nonvolatile memory device via a volatile memory device. In one embodiment, the method includes configuring a size and a base address of an overlay window within an address space of the volatile memory device. The overlay window includes a range of memory addresses. The method also includes receiving an access command via a volatile memory interface of the volatile memory device and using the access command to access a memory array of the volatile memory device if an address of the access command is outside of the overlay window. The method further includes using the access command to access the nonvolatile memory device via a nonvolatile memory interface of the volatile memory device if the address of the access command is within the overlay window.