Flexible Low-Cost Power-Efficient Video Memory With ECC-Adaptation

In this article, a flexible power-efficient video memory is presented that can dynamically adjust the strength of error correction code (ECC), thereby enabling power-quality tradeoff based on application requirements. Specifically, we utilize the bit significance characteristics of video data to develop a low-cost parity storage scheme that supports both hamming code-74 (ECC74) and hamming code-1511 (ECC1511). Based on this, we propose a flexible memory with three dynamic power-quality adaptation schemes (i.e., ECC74, ECC1511, and no ECC) to meet different video application requirements. Our simulation results in 45-nm CMOS technology show that the proposed memory can enable up to 35.37% power savings without a noticeable degradation in video quality, as compared to the conventional design. We also design an integrated ECC encoder/decoder that handles both ECC74 and ECC1511, which reduces area overhead. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed technique, we further develop a system-level video storage embedded test platform based on a commercial 65-nm SRAM chip, which shows that the proposed technique results in significant supply voltage reduction without noticeable video quality degradation.