Abstract: Cyclic redundancy check (CRC) circuitry of a given input data path width is provided to perform CRC on data packets with fixed/variable word length where either the start of packet or the end of packet or both don't need to be aligned with the last and first word or bit of the CRC circuitry's input data path. The CRC circuitry is organized in a hierarchical configuration. A first level performs partial cyclic redundancy checks which are then combined in a second level to perform the cyclic redundancy check from all received data words or bits independent of the start of packet and end of packet positions. The hierarchical configuration enables the increase of the input data path width without incurring the significant increase in area observed for conventional CRC circuitry. This also decreases the number and length of interconnects compared to conventional CRC circuitry, and thus facilitates timing closure.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for parallelizing turbo encoding computations. At least one processor is provided. Turbo encoding computations are split into first and second parts. Using at least one processor, the computations of the first part are performed. Thereafter, using the at least one processor, the computations of the second part are performed, the second part correcting output provided by the computations of the first part. One of the first and second parts comprises computations performed in parallel and the other of the first and second parts comprises computations performed not in parallel. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.

Abstract: A low-density parity check (LDPC) decoder includes a memory configured to store multiple variable node LLR values in a LLR memory and multiple check nodes messages in a CN memory. The LDPC decoder also includes a saturation indicator configured to determine whether each check node of the H-matrix becomes saturated, and a multiplexer. The multiplexer is configured store an extrinsic check node value in the CN memory and updated LLR value in the LLR memory when the variable node is not saturated; and store a freeze input value in the CN memory and a freeze value in the LLR memory when the variable node is saturated.

Abstract: One-time programmable integrated circuit security is described. An example of a method of protecting memory assets in an integrated circuit includes sampling values of multiple OTP memory arrays and comparing the sampled value of each OTP memory array with the sampled value of each other OTP memory array and with an unprogrammed OTP memory array value. The method further includes determining if an integrated circuit performance fault has occurred based on the compared sampled values, booting the integrated circuit, and operating the integrated circuit with access to memory determined by the fault occurrence determination.

Abstract: A method for forward error correction (FEC) includes obtaining information on a type of a current frame, where the current frame includes a key frame and a non-key frame; determining a coding redundancy of the current frame according to the type of the current frame and a redundancy coding strategy, where the coding redundancy of the key frame is greater than that of the non-key frame; and using the determined coding redundancy to generate an FEC code for the current frame. The method is applicable to circumstances where FEC is performed for media data of various coding formats.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reusing existing test structures and techniques used to test memory data to also test error correction code logic surrounding the memories. A method includes testing a memory of a computing system with an error code correction (ECC) logic block bypassed and a first data pattern applied. The method further includes testing the memory with the ECC logic block enabled and a second data pattern applied. The method also includes testing the memory with the ECC logic block enabled and the first data pattern applied.

Abstract: A system for providing error detection or correction on a data bus includes one or more caches coupled to a central processing unit and to a hub by one or more buses. The system also includes a plurality of arrays, each array disposed on one of the buses. Each of the arrays includes a plurality of storage cells disposed in an insensitive direction and an error control mechanism configured to detect an error in the plurality of storage cells.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide relatively low uncorrectable bit error rates, low write amplification, long life, fast and efficient retrieval, and efficient storage density such that a solid-state drive (SSD) can be implemented using relatively inexpensive MLC Flash for an enterprise storage application. Predefined gears correspond to different predefined ECC schemes. Based on an observed bit error rate, a gear from a set of predefined gears is selected for use for a particular region of memory. Each gear of the set of predefined gears includes a lower-latency ECC decode option and one or more higher-latency ECC decode options.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a block of memory cells is rested in response to the block of memory cells being deemed to fail. For some embodiments, a rested block may be selected for use in response to passing an operation. In other embodiments, a rested block may be rested again or may be permanently retired from further use in response to failing the operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide relatively low uncorrectable bit error rates, low write amplification, long life, fast and efficient retrieval, and efficient storage density such that a solid-state drive (SSD) can be implemented using relatively inexpensive MLC Flash for an enterprise storage application. Data is stored in page stripes. The page stripes can have varying amounts of payload capacity based on selected error correction code strength. Allocation blocks can be divided into journaling cells, correspond to minimum units of data for which a journaling engine or flash translation layer has a logical-to-physical mapping.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a decoding method and a decoding device for a polar code cascaded with CRC. The decoding method includes: performing SC-List decoding on a Polar code according to the number of survival paths L to obtain L survival paths, where L is a positive integer; performing cyclic redundancy check on the L survival paths respectively; and increasing the number of survival paths when all the L survival paths fail to pass the cyclic redundancy check, and acquiring a decoding result of the Polar code according to the increased number of survival paths. In the embodiments of the present invention, the path number of survival paths is adjusted according to a result of the cyclic redundancy check, so as to output paths as much as possible, where the output paths can pass the cyclic redundancy check, thereby improving decoding performance.

Abstract: A method of testing non-volatile memory arrays. A first test stage including at least a first stage read uses a first step size for setting current for BCC testing and/or voltage for VT testing for reading at least some memory cells. A second test stage including at least one second stage read uses an adjusted step size less in magnitude than the first step size for reading at least some memory cells. Provided no bit pattern match by the second test stage and/or the adjusted step size does not meet a predetermined minimum resolution (PMR), one or more additional test stages including additional array searching are added using a fixed step size less in magnitude than the adjusted step size including at least one read until a final read determines the predetermined bit pattern is matched and a fixed step size for the final read meets the PMR.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of operating an automatic test system comprising a plurality of paths and programmed with a test pattern is provided. One such method comprises executing vectors in the test pattern with circuitry comprising a plurality of paths, the executing comprising upon processing, in a first of the plurality of paths, the operation portion of a vector specifying an operation capable of generating a branch in the flow of execution of the vectors in the test pattern to a non-sequential location in the test pattern, initiating processing of the test pattern in a second of the plurality of paths from the non-sequential location. Some aspects include a system for executing instructions comprising a plurality of paths comprising control circuitry to initiate processing of operation portions from sequential locations of a memory within an available path of the plurality of paths.

Abstract: This invention is a method to extend data retention for FLASH based storage in a real time device embodied in generic semiconductor technology. This invention provides a manner to re-energize the Flash memory array to improve the retention characteristics of the memory without altering the clock cycle determinism of the system. Under certain conditions the Flash memory bit cells will lose their charge/non-charge over time. In this particular FLASH technology, an ECC is used to correct single bit errors within a 32 bit word. If there is time before multiple errors occur within a word, the single error cases are identified and “ReFlashed” to bring the value of the cell back to its “newly” programmed levels. This dramatically improves the long term retention characteristics of the memory while requiring some control logic and an area of non-volatile scratch/status information.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method and apparatus for improving the ability to correct errors in memory devices is described. At least one embodiment provides a way to salvage the part even it has double-bit or multi-bit error from the same ECC section, thus improving product reliability and extending the product lifetime. During a normal read, if a double-bit or multiple-bit error happens, which ECC can detect but cannot fix, the error is corrected by adjusting the read voltage level and reading again to determine the proper read level (and, therefore, the correct value being read). This dynamic read scheme can apply to extrinsic bits from either erase state or program state. It can be also used in a single bit scenario to minimize ECC occurrence and save ECC capacity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide relatively low uncorrectable bit error rates, low write amplification, long life, fast and efficient retrieval, and efficient storage density such that a solid-state drive (SSD) can be implemented using relatively inexpensive MLC Flash for an enterprise storage application. Both primary parity symbols for primary codewords and secondary parity symbols for secondary codewords are generated. The secondary parity symbols are spread out across each page of a group of pages.

Abstract: A decoding circuit is disclosed that includes a decoding pipeline configured to receive a data block that includes a plurality of data symbols, encoded with a Reed-Solomon (RS) FEC coding thereafter further encoded by a second FEC coding. The data block also includes a first and second sets of FEC datagrams for correcting received words of the plurality of data symbols encoded with the RS FEC coding and second FEC coding, respectively. Each decoding stage of the pipeline is configured to decode the plurality of data symbols using the first and second sets of FEC datagrams. A post-processing circuit connected to an output of the pipelines is configured to perform bitwise RS decoding of ones of the plurality of data symbols in error.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide relatively low uncorrectable bit error rates, low write amplification, long life, fast and efficient retrieval, and efficient storage density such that a solid-state drive (SSD) can be implemented using relatively inexpensive MLC Flash for an enterprise storage application.

Abstract: A device, a computer readable medium and a method that may include performing a shortened read attempt of multiple data memory cells that store data to provide an estimate of the data; wherein the shortened read attempt has a duration that is shorter than a duration of a full read attempt; performing a shortened read attempt of redundant memory cells that store redundant information to provide an estimate of the redundant information; wherein the estimate of the redundant information is indicative of an expected number of data memory cells that store a certain logic value; determining, based on the estimate of the data, an estimated number of data memory cells that store the certain logic value; comparing the expected number to the estimated number; and providing the estimate of the data as a read result if the expected number and the estimated number equal each other.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for adaptive, error-tolerant pattern recognition in the transmission of digital data packets, in which an actual data pattern, including several bits, is detected and is compared with a theoretical data pattern; erroneous and/or correctly recognized bits are detected; erroneous and/or correctly recognized bits are added up (in each case); and the error sum (number of the errors) of the added-up erroneous bits is compared with a specifiable and changeable admissible maximum number of errors.