Data encoding using spare channels
Implementations of encoding techniques are disclosed. The encoding technique, such as a Data bus Inversion (DBI) technique, is implementable in a vertically-stacked memory module, but is not limited thereto. The module can be a plurality of memory integrated circuits which are vertically stacked, and which communicate via a bus formed in one embodiment of channels comprising Through-Wafer Interconnects (TWIs), but again is not limited thereto. One such module includes spare channels that are normally used to reroute a data signal on the bus away from faulty data channels. In one disclosed technique, the status of a spare channel or channels is queried, and if one or more are unused, they can be used to carry a DBI bit, thus allowing at least a portion of the bus to be assessed in accordance with a DBI algorithm. Depending on the location and number of spare channels needed for rerouting, DBI can be apportioned across the bus in various manners. Implementations can also be used with other encoding techniques not comprising DBI.
1. A method comprising:
controlling a switching network coupled to a data bus inversion (DBI) codec device and a plurality of external channels, the plurality of external channels including a plurality of data channels and at least N spare channels, the controlling to allow at least one of the N spare channels to carry either a data signal or codec information;
controlling the switching network to reroute a data signal to at least one of the N spare channels based on a determination that at least one of the data channels is faulty;
determining that at least one of the N spare channels is not being used for rerouting the data signal based on the determination that at least one of the data channels is faulty, based on the determination that at least one of the N spare channels is not being used for rerouting the data signal:
enabling a DBI codec in DBI control circuitry to apply a DRI algorithm on at least a portion of the data signals, and
instructing the switching network to couple at least one DBI signal to at least one of the N spare channels;
applying the DBI algorithm on all data signals; and
coupling one DBI signal to a spare channel based on the determination that one spare channel of the N spare channels is not being used for rerouting.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising associating each spare channel with a group of data signals.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising refraining from applying the DBI algorithm on the group associated with that spare channel based on a determination that the spare channel is being used for rerouting.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling a plurality of multiplexers to switch data between the at least one of the N spare channels and the plurality of data channels.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
encoding, using the DBI codec, original data signals into encoded data signals to be communicated on a respective one of the plurality of data channels; and
issuing a DBI bit to be communicated on the spare channel.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising, based on a determination that the data channel is not faulty, encoding and decoding M data signals using a data bus inversion (DBI) codec written to or read from an integrated circuit in conjunction with a DBI algorithm and at least one DBI signal.
7. A method comprising:
controlling a switching network coupled to a data bus inversion (DBI) codec device and a plurality of external channels, the plurality of external channels including a plurality of data channels and at least N spare channels, the controlling to allow at least one of the N spare channels to carry either a data signal or codec information;
controlling the switching network to reroute a data signal to at least one of the N spare channels based on a determination that at least one of the data channels is faulty;
determining that at least one of the N spare channels is not being used for rerouting the data signal based on the determination that at least one of the data channels is faulty, based on the determination that at least one of the N spare channels is not being used for rerouting the data signal:
enabling a DBI codec in DBI control circuitry to apply a DBI algorithm on at least a portion of the data signals, and
instructing the switching network to couple at least one DBI signal to at least one of the N spare channels;
applying the DBI algorithm to N groups of data signals; and
coupling N DBI signals to the N spare channels based on a determination that the N spare channels are not being used for rerouting, wherein each of the DBI signals corresponds to one of the groups.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising associating each spare channel with a group of data signals.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising refraining from applying the DBI algorithm on the group associated with that spare channel based on a determination that the spare channel is being used for rerouting.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising controlling a plurality of multiplexers to switch data between the at least one of the N spare channels and the plurality of data channels.
11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
encoding, using the DBI codec when enabled, original data signals into encoded data signals to be communicated on a respective one of the plurality of data channels; and
issuing a DBI bit to be communicated on the spare channel.
12. The method of claim 7 further comprising, based on a determination that the data channel is not faulty, encoding and decoding M data signals using a data bus inversion (DBI) codec written to or read from an integrated circuit in conjunction with a DBI algorithm and at least one DBI signal.
13. A method comprising:
controlling a switching network coupled to a data bus inversion (DBI) codec device and a plurality of external channels, the plurality of external channels including a plurality of data channels and at least N spare channels, the controlling to allow at least one of the N spare channels to carry either a data signal or codec information;
controlling the switching network to reroute a data signal to at least one of the N spare channels based on a determination that at least one of the data channels is faulty;
determining that at least one of the N spare channels is not being used for rerouting the data signal based on the determination that at least one of the data channels is faulty, based on the determination that at least one of the N spare channels is not being used for rerouting the data signal:
enabling a DBI codec in DBI control circuitry to apply a DBI algorithm on at least a portion of the data signals, and
instructing the switching network to couple at least one DBI signal to at least one of the N spare channels;
applying the DBI algorithm on a group of at least M of N of the data signals; and
coupling at most N DBI signals to the spare channels, based on a determination that the N spare channels are not being used for rerouting, wherein each of the DBI signals corresponds to one of the groups.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising associating each spare channel with a group of data signals.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising refraining from applying the DBI algorithm on the group associated with that spare channel based on a determination that the spare channel is being used for rerouting.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising controlling a plurality of multiplexers to switch data between the at least one of the N spare channels and the plurality of data channels.
17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
encoding, using the DBI codec when enabled, original data signals into encoded data signals to be communicated on a respective one of the plurality of data channels; and
issuing a DBI bit to be communicated on the spare channel.
18. The method of claim 13 further comprising, based on a determination that the data channel is not faulty, encoding and decoding M data signals using a data bus inversion (DBI) codec written to or read from an integrated circuit in conjunction with a DBI algorithm and at least one DBI signal.