Optimized parallel decoding of difference set codes for high speed memories

Abstract

The interest in using advanced Error Correction Codes (ECCs) to protect memories and caches is growing. This is because as process technology downscales, errors are more frequent and also tend to affect multiple bits. For SRAM memories and caches, latency is a limiting factor and ECCs have to provide low decoding times that can in most cases be only achieved with the use of a parallel decoder. One important issue with parallel decoders is that they typically require large circuit area to be implemented. One type of ECCs that has been explored for memory protection is Difference Set (DS) codes. In this research note, an optimized parallel decoding scheme for DS codes is presented and evaluated. The results show that the circuit area and the decoding delay are reduced compared to a traditional implementation. In addition, the new scheme enables a reduction in the number of parity check bits thus reducing the memory size.