Address Translation Cache Pre-Population for Storage Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing cache memory for address translation in storage devices, leading to delays in read and write operations due to the need for frequent address translations and the limited capacity of the address translation cache (ATC).
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves pre-populating the address translation cache (ATC) by using timers and monitoring the progress of command processing to proactively request address translations, ensuring that the translated addresses are available in the cache when needed, thereby reducing delays and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If address translation is performed on-demand when commands are processed, then the ATC capacity requirement is reduced, but translation latency increases causing delays in read and write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads address translations into the ATC before they are actually needed for command execution. The controller monitors command queues and proactively translates virtual addresses to physical addresses, storing them in the ATC in advance. This eliminates translation latency during actual command processing while maintaining efficient throughput by batching translation operations.
2Speed
If the ATC is pre-populated with address translations, then translation speed increases, but the limited cache capacity is consumed faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic management of the ATC where the controller continuously monitors both the command queue state and the ATC utilization. Address translations are pre-loaded selectively based on predicted needs from upcoming commands, and the system dynamically adjusts which addresses to translate and when, optimizing the balance between translation speed and cache capacity consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors command processing patterns and ATC hit/miss ratios. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts its pre-loading strategy, translating addresses that are likely to be needed soon while evicting less frequently used translations, thereby maintaining high translation speed without exhausting cache capacity.
3Productivity
If address translations are cached in the ATC, then repeated translations are faster, but the ATC may contain stale or incorrect translations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements validation feedback mechanisms where the controller checks the validity of cached address translations before use. When commands are processed, the system verifies that the virtual address still maps to the same physical address in the ATC, or re-translates if the mapping has changed. This feedback loop maintains translation efficiency while ensuring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic validation and refresh of ATC entries based on monitored usage patterns and host memory operations. Address translations are re-validated at appropriate intervals or when usage patterns indicate potential changes, ensuring that cached translations remain accurate while minimizing the impact on translation efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for processing commands from a host computing device to a storage device are disclosed. The method includes identifying, by the storage device, a command from the host computing device, the command including a logical address; detecting a condition; based on detecting the condition, requesting, by the storage device, translation of the logical address into a physical address; storing, by the storage device, the physical address in a cache; and transferring data according to the command based on the physical address.