To Detect or to Correct?

Abstract

This paper reviews state of art techniques used to protect memory arrays in processors against errors. We discuss the strength and weakness of various techniques and explain how to lessen some of their limitations. We also perform a comparative analysis of the various techniques in the presence of multi cell upsets. This study reveals that there are situations where a less costly only detection code may be advantageous over a more expensive code that can detect and correct errors. This indicates that correction vs detection trade-offs need to be revisited in the presence of multi cell upsets.