Extending non-volatile memory endurance using data encoding
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorSteven T. Sprouse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embedded system comprising a CPU and non-volatile memory is adapted to extend the endurance of the non-volatile memory through the use of an encoding of information stored in the non-volatile memory. One or more data bits are encoded into a larger number of non-volatile memory bit patterns such that changes to the data bits are distributed across fewer changes per non-volatile memory bit. Non-volatile memory endurance is extended since more changes to the data values are possible than can be supported by underlying changes to individual non-volatile memory bits. Word pre-erase, if present, can be accommodated as well as memory bit failures.
Claims18
A method of increasing the endurance of non-volatile memory comprising the steps of:
- a. reading information by converting a first stored pattern of a plurality of bits into a smaller number of bits representing a first data value;
- and
- b. writing information by converting one or more bits representing a second data value into a second pattern of a larger number of bits to be stored, utilizing the previous pattern of stored bits such that a subset of said larger number of bits changes from their previous states, the subset being empty if no bits need to be changed.
An embedded system comprising:
- a central processing unit;
- non-volatile memory;
- and
- program code configured to read information from said non-volatile memory by converting a first stored pattern of a plurality of bits into a smaller number of bits representing a first data value and to write information to said non-volatile memory by converting one or more bits representing a second data value into a second pattern of a larger number of bits to be stored, utilizing the previous pattern of stored bits such that a subset of said larger number of bits changes from their previous states, the subset being empty if no bits need to be changed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.