Pre-emptive garbage collection of memory blocks

Abstract

A method and system pre-emptively perform garbage collection operations of a forced amount on update blocks in a memory device. The amount of garbage collection needed by a certain data write is monitored and adjusted to match the forced amount if necessary. Update blocks may be selected on the basis of their recent usage or the amount of garbage collection required. Another method and system may store control information about update blocks in a temporary storage area so that a greater number of update blocks are utilized. The sequential write performance measured by the Speed Class test may be optimized by using this method and system.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to US Application No. 12 / 828,241, filed June 30, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. technical field [0002] This application generally relates to memory devices. More specifically, this application relates to garbage collection of blocks in reprogrammable non-volatile semiconductor flash memory. Background technique [0003] Non-volatile memory systems such as flash memory have been widely adopted for use in consumer products. Flash memory can be found in different forms, such as in the form of a portable memory card that can be carried between host devices or as a solid state disk (SSD) embedded in a host device. When writing data to a conventional flash memory system, the host typically writes data to and reads data from addresses within the logical address space of the memory system. Memory systems then often map data between the logical address space and physical blocks or metablocks of memory, wher...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Garbage collection activity that occurs during speed class testing may adversely affect test results

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