Parity protected memory blocks merged with error correction code (ECC) protected blocks in a codeword for increased memory utilization

• Main Authors: Sutera, Massimo, Aboulenein, Nagi, Brahmadathan, Sandeep
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.03.2024
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS

A memory control circuit stores codewords in a memory module configured to limit errors to one wire of a memory interface. A codeword includes a first block with a first data portion and a second block with a second data portion. An error correction code symbol in the second block is used to locate and correct errors in the second block. Some bits of the first block are repurposed as metadata. The remaining bits are used as parity bits for detecting errors in the first block. The second block is merged with the first block before being stored to memory and demerged from the first block in a memory read operation. Demerging causes errors in the first block to create errors in a corresponding location in the second block. The location of errors found in the second block is used to locate and correct parity errors in the first block.