Michael Brendan Sullivan

Title: Innovations by Michael Brendan Sullivan

Introduction

Michael Brendan Sullivan is a notable inventor based in Austin, TX, with a remarkable portfolio of nine patents. His work primarily focuses on advancements in memory operations and error correction technologies, contributing significantly to the field of computer engineering.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is titled "Alias-free tagged error correcting codes for machine memory operations." This invention introduces Implicit Memory Tagging (IMT) mechanisms that utilize alias-free memory tags. These tags enable hardware-assisted memory tagging without incurring additional storage overhead compared to conventional tagging mechanisms, while also enhancing data integrity and memory security. The IMT mechanisms improve the utility of error correcting codes (ECCs) by allowing them to test memory tags, in addition to their traditional role of detecting and correcting data errors. This innovation provides a finer granularity of memory tagging than many conventional approaches.

Another significant patent is the "Single-cycle byte correcting and multi-byte detecting error code." This invention describes a memory device and system that implements a single symbol correction, double symbol detection (SSC-DSD+) error correction scheme. The scheme calculates four syndrome symbols in accordance with a Reed-Solomon (RS) codeword and determines three location bytes based on corresponding pairs of syndrome symbols. The output generated can include corrected data, an indication of a detected-and-corrected error, or an indication of a detected-yet-uncorrected error, depending on the matching of the location bytes.

Career Highlights

Michael Brendan Sullivan is currently employed at Nvidia Corporation, a leading technology company known for its innovations in graphics processing units and artificial intelligence. His contributions to the field have been instrumental in advancing memory technologies and error correction methods.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Sullivan has collaborated with esteemed colleagues such as Stephen William Keckler and Timothy Tsai, further enhancing the impact of his work in the industry.

Conclusion

Michael Brendan Sullivan's innovative contributions to memory operations and error correction technologies have established him as a significant figure in the field of computer engineering. His patents reflect a commitment to enhancing data integrity and memory security, showcasing the importance of his work in modern technology.