Digital data (multi-bit) storage with discrete analog memory cells
OwnerMordecai Barkaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides means to trade Ns (discrete analog storage media noise) with Np (process contributed noise), thus allowing for storage of more bits per memory cell than the amounts attainable by the common practice. The storage media may be of any analog type, such as FLASH, RAM (D or S), EPROMS of various types and even used with continuous analog data storage. By transforming the digital data prior to storage and store the transformed data is analog data, results an improvement in total S/N (Signal to Noise ratio), allowing for better utilization of discrete analog memory when compared with the implementation of conventional approaches. The better utilization is measured by the average amount of bits of data stored in each memory cell.
Claims23
A storage memory for storing digital data comprising:
- digital signal processing (DSP) means for transforming a digital data bit stream having a stored data component so as to provide an improved signal to noise ratio by altering levels associated with the digital data bit stream;
- means for converting the transformed data to form analog data;
- and
- discrete analog memory means for storing the analog data.
In a storage memory for storing digital data, a method comprising:
- transforming a digital data bit stream having a stored data component so as to provide an improved signal to noise ratio by altering levels associated with the digital data bit stream;
- converting the transformed digital data to form analog data;
- and
- storing the analog data.
A memory device, the memory device being arranged to store digital data, the memory device comprising:
- a first transformer, the first transformer being arranged to process the digital data for error detection and error correction, the first transformer further being arranged to transform the processed digital data to improve a signal to storage noise ratio associated with the digital data when the digital data is retrieved substantially by altering levels associated with the digital data bit stream;
- a first converter, the first converter being arranged to convert the transformed digital data into at least one analog value;
- and
- an analog storage mechanism, the analog storage mechanism being arranged to store the at least one analog value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.