Selective backup to persistent memory for volatile memory
AssigneeSMART Modular Technologies, Inc.
InventorAndrew Mills
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for selective backup to persistent memory from volatile memory are disclosed. In one aspect, a memory controller includes a detection circuit that detects an address for a memory access and determines a range into which that address falls. The memory controller also includes a touched map that is configured to store an indication as to what areas (or ranges) of memory have been accessed, as determined by the detection circuit. In the event of a command or power interruption, a backup routine initially consults the touched map and only backs up those ranges which have been touched. Such selective backup may reduce the amount of time and power required to make a backup, reducing the demands placed on a backup energy source.
Claims19
A memory device comprising:
- a volatile random-access memory (RAM) portion;
- a persistent memory portion;
- a touch map circuit configured to store information related to addresses detected by a detection circuit;
- and
- a backup memory controller configured to:
- detect a backup event;
- and
- copy data from the volatile RAM portion to the persistent memory portion based on the information in the touch map circuit.
A method of backing up memory, comprising:
- storing an indication of a memory access in a touch map circuit corresponding to a volatile memory portion;
- and
- after a backup event trigger, backing up only portions of the volatile memory portion based on indications in the touch map circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.