ECC bits used as additional register file storage
First Claim
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1. A processing unit, comprising:
- first and second memory modules;
error-correcting code (ECC) logic coupled to each of the first and second memory modules and configured to correct bit flip errors within the first and second memory modules; and
a memory controller coupled to each of the first and second memory modules and configured to access data within the first and second memory modules, wherein the memory controller is further configured to access data stored in the first memory module while the ECC logic corrects bit flip errors within the second memory module.
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Abstract
A memory module includes a plurality of register files. Each register file is associated with a set of error-correcting code (ECC) bits and ECC check/correct logic that can provide error-correcting functionality, if required. When error-correcting functionality is not required, ECC bits are grouped together to form additional register files, thereby providing additional storage space.
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19 Claims
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1. A processing unit, comprising:
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first and second memory modules; error-correcting code (ECC) logic coupled to each of the first and second memory modules and configured to correct bit flip errors within the first and second memory modules; and a memory controller coupled to each of the first and second memory modules and configured to access data within the first and second memory modules, wherein the memory controller is further configured to access data stored in the first memory module while the ECC logic corrects bit flip errors within the second memory module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for correcting bit flip errors within a set of two or more memory modules, comprising:
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accessing data stored in a first memory module in the set of two or more memory modules; and correcting one or more bit flip errors within a second memory module in the set of two or more memory modules independently of the first memory module being accessed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A general-purpose computer system, comprising:
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a processing unit; a memory unit having register files; a memory controller coupled to the memory unit; and ECC logic coupled to the memory unit and configured to correct bit flip errors within the memory unit, wherein the memory controller is configured to access data within the memory unit while the ECC logic corrects the bit flip errors within the memory unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification