18169610. ERROR DETECTION, CORRECTION, AND MEDIA MANAGEMENT ON A DRAM DEVICE simplified abstract (Micron Technology, Inc.)

ERROR DETECTION, CORRECTION, AND MEDIA MANAGEMENT ON A DRAM DEVICE

Organization Name

Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor(s)

Amitava Majumdar of Boise ID (US)

Greg S. Hendrix of Boise ID (US)

Anandhavel Nagendrakumar of Boise ID (US)

Krunal Patel of Boise ID (US)

Kirthi Shenoy of Boise ID (US)

Danilo Caraccio of Milano (IT)

Ankush Lal of Boise ID (US)

Frank F. Ross of Boise ID (US)

Adam D. Gailey of Boise ID (US)

ERROR DETECTION, CORRECTION, AND MEDIA MANAGEMENT ON A DRAM DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18169610 titled 'ERROR DETECTION, CORRECTION, AND MEDIA MANAGEMENT ON A DRAM DEVICE

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a system and method for identifying memory errors in DRAM memory that may require soft or hard package repair. Here is a simplified explanation of the patent application:

• When data is written to a row of DRAM, it is immediately read back and scanned for bit errors.
• If bit errors are found, the data is corrected and rewritten to the same memory location.
• The memory location is re-read, and if bit errors persist, it is marked for repair.
• Historical records of memory errors are reviewed to determine if errors have occurred previously at the same location.
• If recurring errors are identified, the memory location is marked for post-package repair.

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1. 1. 1. Potential Applications

• This technology can be applied in data centers, servers, and high-performance computing systems where memory errors can have significant impacts on performance and reliability.

1. 1. 1. Problems Solved

• The system helps in identifying and correcting memory errors in real-time, ensuring data integrity and system stability.
• It automates the process of identifying and repairing memory errors, reducing the need for manual intervention.

1. 1. 1. Benefits

• Improved system reliability and data integrity.
• Reduced downtime and maintenance costs associated with memory errors.
• Enhanced performance and efficiency of memory systems.

1. 1. 1. Potential Commercial Applications
         1. Optimizing Memory Error Detection and Repair in High-Performance Computing Systems

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1. 1. 1. Possible Prior Art

There are existing memory error detection and correction techniques in the field of computer memory systems, but the automated real-time scanning and repair process described in this patent application appears to be a novel approach.

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1. 1. 1. Unanswered Questions

1. 1. 1. 1. How does this system handle different types of memory errors, such as single-bit errors versus multi-bit errors?

The patent abstract does not specify how the system distinguishes between different types of memory errors and whether it applies different repair strategies based on the error type.

1. 1. 1. 1. What is the impact of the repair process on system performance and memory lifespan?

The abstract does not provide information on how the repair process may affect system performance or the overall lifespan of the memory modules.

Original Abstract Submitted

In a memory controller system, a system and method to identify memory errors which may require soft package repair or hard package repair to rows of DRAM memory. When data is written to a row of DRAM, the data is immediately and automatically read back and scanned for bit errors. If bit errors are identified, the data is corrected and written back to the same memory location. The memory location is re-read. If bit errors are again identified, the memory location is marked for soft or hard repair. If, upon rereading the memory location, additional bit errors are identified, a historical record of memory errors is reviewed to determine if bit errors have occurred previously at the same memory location. If yes, the memory location is again marked for a soft post package repair or a hard post package repair.