Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for a system error-correcting code function are presented. The apparatus includes a memory configured to communicate with a host. The memory includes a memory array configured to store data. The memory is configured to provide the data stored in the memory array to the host in performing computing functions and configured to provide an error-correction code (ECC) associated with the data to the host. The ECC is not stored in the memory array in a first configuration of the memory and is stored in the memory array in a second configuration of the memory.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for improve data clock to reduce power consumption are presented. The apparatus includes a memory configured to receive a data clock from a host via a link and to synchronize the data clock with the host. The memory includes a clock tree buffer configured to toggle based on the data clock to capture write data or to output read data and a command decoder configured to detect a data clock suspend command while the data clock is synchronized between the host and the memory. The clock tree buffer is configured to disable toggling based on the data clock in response to the command decoder detecting the data clock suspend command. the host includes a memory controller configured to provide a data clock suspend command to the memory via the link while the data clock is synchronized between the host and the memory.
Abstract:
Errors can be introduced when data is transferred over a link between two entities such as between a host and a memory. Link error protection schemes can be implemented to detect and correct errors that occur on the link to enhance transmission reliability. However, these benefits are not without costs since such protection schemes increase both latency and power consumption. In one or more aspects, it is proposed to dynamically adjust the level of link error protection applied to match any change in the operating environment. For example, likelihood of link errors strongly correlates with the link speed. If the link speed is increased, a greater level of link error protection can be applied to counteract the increase in the link errors. If the link speed is decreased, the level of protection can be decreased so that latency and power consumption penalties can be minimized.
Abstract:
In a conventional memory subsystem, a memory controller issues explicit refresh commands to a DRAM memory device to maintain integrity of the data stored in the memory device when the memory device is in an auto-refresh mode. A significant amount of power may be consumed to carry out the refresh. To address this and other issues, it is proposed to allow a partial refresh in the auto-refresh mode in which the refreshing operation may be skipped for a subset of the memory cells. Through such selective refresh skipping, the power consumed for auto-refreshes may be reduced. Operating system kernels and memory drivers may be configured to determine areas of memory for which the refreshing operation can be skipped.
Abstract:
A memory device may include link error correction code (ECC) decoder and correction circuitry. The ECC decoder and correction circuitry may be arranged in a write path and configured for link error detection and correction of write data received over a data link. The memory device may also include memory ECC encoder circuitry. The memory ECC encoder circuitry may be arranged in the write path and configured for memory protection of the write data during storage in a memory array.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for an in-system repair process that repairs or attempts to repair random bit failures in a memory device are provided. In some examples, an in-system repair process may select alternative steps depending on whether the failure is correctable or uncorrectable. In these examples, the process uses communications between a system on chip and the memory to fix the failures during normal operation.
Abstract:
In a conventional memory subsystem, a memory controller issues explicit refresh commands to a DRAM memory device to maintain integrity of the data stored in the memory device when the memory device is in an auto-refresh mode. A significant amount of power may be consumed to carry out the refresh. To address this and other issues, it is proposed to allow a partial refresh in the auto-refresh mode in which the refreshing operation may be skipped for a subset of the memory cells. Through such selective refresh skipping, the power consumed for auto-refreshes may be reduced. Operating system kernels and memory drivers may be configured to determine areas of memory for which the refreshing operation can be skipped.
Abstract:
Disclosed are techniques for minimizing performance degradation due to refresh operations in a dynamic volatile memory sub-system. In an aspect, a refresh scheduler coupled to the dynamic volatile memory sub-system generates a batch memory refresh command comprising an identification of a plurality of rows of each of one or more banks of the dynamic volatile memory sub-system to refresh, and issues the batch memory refresh command to the dynamic volatile memory sub-system.
Abstract:
Conventional link error correction techniques in memory subsystems include either widening the I/O width or increasing the burst length. However, both techniques have drawbacks. In one or more aspects, it is proposed to incorporate link error correction in both the host and the memory devices to address the drawbacks associated with the conventional techniques. The proposed memory subsystem is advantageous in that the interface architecture of conventional memory systems can be maintained. Also, the link error correction is capability is provided with the proposed memory subsystem without increasing the I/O width and without increasing the burst length.
Abstract:
A method of memory array and link error correction in a low power memory sub-system includes embedding error correction code (ECC) parity bits within unused data mask bits during a normal write operation and during a read operation. The method also includes embedding the ECC parity bits in a mask write data byte corresponding to an asserted data mask bit during a mask write operation.