Lsi Logic Corporation

Kawasaki Steel Corporation

Manouchehr Vafai

Carlos Dangelo

Doron Mintz

Michael D Rostoker

Method and apparatus for significantly improving the reliability of multilevel (MLT) memory architecture. Before writing to MLT architecture, each MLT word is encoded into a coded bit stream in such a way that the resultant coded data contains the original word plus additional digits which are a function of the content of memory. During the reading of the memory, the stored data is decoded, and takes advantage of redundancy to correct and eliminate errors introduced during read and write operations of the MLT architecture. The invention is useful for systems such as general-purpose computers (PCs, workstations, etc.), telecommunications devices (telephones&mdash;wired and wireless, switches, hubs, routers, etc.), audio and visual devices (recording and playback, editing, format switching, compression, etc.), vehicles (automobiles, aircraft, trains, boats, satellites, spacecraft, etc.). Systems and subsystems may be incorporated on a single integrated circuit (IC) die having MLT RAM or enhanced MLT memory. An electronic component (e.g., integrated circuit) incorporating the technique is suitably included in a system or subsystem having electrical functionality, such as general purpose computers, telecommunications devices, and the like.

Method and apparatus for significantly improving the reliability of multilevel memory architecture

Method and system for creating, validating, and scaling structural description of electronic device

A methodology for generating structural descriptions of complex digital devices from high-level descriptions and specifications. The methodology uses a systematic technique to map and enforce consistency of the semantics imbedded in the intent of the original, high-level descriptions. The design activity is essentially a series of transformations operating upon various levels of design representations. At each level, the intended meaning (semantics) and formal software manipulations are captured to derive a more detailed level describing hardware meeting the design goals. Important features of the methodology are: capturing the users concepts, intent, specification, descriptions, constraints and trade-offs; architectural partitioning; what-if analysis at a high level; sizing estimation; timing estimation; architectural trade-off; conceptual design with implementation estimation; and timing closure. The methodology includes using estimators, based on data gathered over a number of realized designs, for partitioning and evaluating a design prior to logic synthesis. From the structural description, a physical implementation of the device is readily realized. Techniques for scaling of a model design to provide a scaled design are provided whereby parameters of a model design such as size, circuit complexity, interconnection density, number of I/O connections, etc., can be scaled to produce a scaled version of the design. The scaling techniques employ multi-level hierarchical module replication to produce fully-functional scaled designs which closely match the function of the model design. Test vectors for the scaled designs can be readily obtained by altering test vectors for the model design to account for the replicated modules.

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Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Manouchehr Vafai