May 1989
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DP8400-2ÐE C Expandable Error Checker/Corrector
General Description
The DP8400-2 Expandable Error Checker and Corrector
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(E C ) aids system reliability and integrity by detecting er-
memory check bits or DP8400-2s than the single-error cor-
rect configurations.
The DP8400-2 has a separate syndrome I/O bus which can
be used for error logging or error management. In addition,
the DP8400-2 can be used in BYTE-WRITE applications (for
up to 72 data bits) because it has separate byte controls for
the data buffers. In 16 or 32-bit systems, the DP8400-2 will
generate and check system byte parity, if required, for integ-
rity of the data supplied from or to the processor. There are
three latch controls to enable latching of data in various
modes and configurations.
rors in memory data and correcting single or double-bit er-
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rors. The E C data I/O port sits across the processor-
memory data bus as shown, and the check bit I/O port con-
nects to the memory check bits. Error flags are provided,
and a syndrome I/O port is available. Fabricated using high
speed Schottky technology in a 48-pin dual-in-line package,
the DP8400-2 has been designed such that its internal delay
times are minimal, maintaining maximum memory perform-
ance.
Operational Features
Y
Fast single and double-error detection
Y
Fast single-error correction
Y
Double-error correction after catastrophic failure with no
additional ICs or check bits
Y
Functionally expandable to 100% double-error correct
capability
Y
Functionally expandable to triple-error detect
Y
Directly expandable to 32 bits using 2 DP8400-2s only
Y
Directly expandable to 48 bits using 3 DP8400-2s only
TL/F/6899–1
Y
Directly expandable to 64 bits using 4 DP8400-2s only
For a 16-bit word, the DP8400-2 monitors data between the
processor and memory, with its 16-bit bidirectional data bus
connected to the memory data bus. The DP8400-2 uses an
encoding matrix to generate 6 check bits from the 16 bits of
data. In a WRITE cycle, the data word and the correspond-
ing check bits are written into memory. When the same lo-
Y
Expandable to and beyond 64 bits in fast configuration
with extra ICs
Y
3 error flags for complete error recording
Y
3 latch enable inputs for versatile control
Y
Byte parity generating and checking
Y
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Separate byte controls for outputting data in BYTE-
WRITE operation
cation of memory is subsequently read, the E C generates
6 new check bits from the memory data and compares them
with the 6 check bits read from memory to create 6 syn-
drome bits. If there is a difference (causing some syndrome
bits to go high), then that memory location contains an error
and the DP8400-2 indicates the type of error with 3 error
flags. If the error is a single data-bit error, the DP8400-2 will
automatically correct it.
Y
Separate syndrome I/O port accessible for error
logging and management
Y
On-chip input and output latches for data bus, check bit
bus and syndrome bus
Y
Diagnostic capability for simulating check bits
Y
Memory check bit bus, syndrome bus, error flags and
internally generated syndromes available on the data
bus
The DP8400-2 is easily expandable to other data configura-
a 32-bit data bus with 7 check bits, two
tions. For
DP8400-2s can be used in cascade with no other ICs. Three
DP8400-2s can be used for 48 bits, and four DP8400-2s for
64 data bits, both with 8 check bits. In all these configura-
tions, single and double-error detection and single-error cor-
rection are easy to implement.
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2
Y
Self-test of E C on the memory card under processor
control
2
Full diagnostic check of memory with the E C
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Y
Y
Y
Complete memory failure detectable
Power-on clears data and syndrome input latches
When the memory is more unreliable, or better system in-
tegrity is preferred, then in any of these configurations, dou-
ble-error correction can be performed. One approach re-
quires a further memory WRITE-READ cycle using comple-
mented data and check bits from the DP8400-2. If at least
one of the two errors is a hard error, the DP8400-2 will
correct both errors. This implementation requires no more
Timing Features
16-BIT CONFIGURATION
WRITE Time: 29 ns from data-in to check bits valid
DETECT Time: 21 ns from data-in to Any Error (AE) flag set
CORRECT Time: 44 ns from data-in to correct data out
TRI-STATEÉ is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corp.
C
1995 National Semiconductor Corporation
TL/F/6899
RRD-B30M105/Printed in U. S. A.