Adaptive Error Correction in Storage Reads to Cut Retry Time

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage devices face increased read times due to time-consuming error correction processes, which also lead to higher power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The storage device employs an adaptive error correction method that estimates error rates to determine the necessity and type of error correction decoding, thereby optimizing the error correction process for improved speed and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If error correction decoding is performed on all read data, then data reliability is improved, but read time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidread time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of error correction application from universal to selective based on error rate thresholds. The controller estimates error rates and applies different correction strategies (no correction, partial correction, or full correction) depending on whether the error rate falls below, between, or above specified thresholds, thereby optimizing read time while maintaining data reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial error correction action by estimating error rates and selectively applying correction only when necessary. Instead of performing full error correction on all data, the system applies correction partially - only to data blocks that exceed error rate thresholds - thus reducing overall processing time while maintaining adequate reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If comprehensive error correction is applied, then data accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy consumption parameter by implementing conditional error correction based on error rate estimates. The controller adjusts power usage dynamically - consuming minimal power when error rates are low and only increasing power consumption when error correction is actually needed - thereby improving data accuracy without proportionally increasing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial power consumption for error correction by estimating error rates first and only activating full correction processes when necessary. This partial action approach ensures data accuracy is maintained while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during low-error conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If error correction process is simplified, then processing speed is improved, but correction capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidcorrection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic error correction process that adapts to actual data conditions. The controller estimates error rates and dynamically selects the appropriate correction level - from no correction to full correction - thereby achieving both high processing speed during low-error conditions and adequate correction capability when errors are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the correction capability parameter dynamically based on error rate estimates. By adjusting the correction level according to actual data quality, the system maintains high processing speed for good data while ensuring adequate correction capability when errors are present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4358415B1Storage device performing iterative error correction
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4358415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4358415B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4358415B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a storage device which includes a nonvolatile memory device, and a memory controller that performs a read operation on the nonvolatile memory device and performs an error correction operation on data read in the read operation. In the error correction operation, the memory controller estimates an error rate of the read data, and determines whether to perform a read retry operation based on the estimated error rate.