Automotive Memory Control for Idle-Time Background Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

The automotive industry requires high-capacity and high-performance memory devices to support advanced driver assistance systems, infotainment, and autonomous driving technologies, necessitating efficient memory management to ensure passenger and pedestrian safety without interfering with foreground operations.

Innovation Solution

An automotive system comprising a controller and a memory device that detects background operation trigger events, determines a time limit, and processes background operations such as housekeeping tasks without influencing foreground operations, using a memory management circuit to manage volatile and non-volatile memory devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If background operations are performed continuously, then memory device performance and reliability are improved, but foreground operation speed and system responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory device reliabilityVSAvoidforeground operation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing and execution of background operations based on real-time detection of foreground operation states. The memory management circuit monitors foreground operations and schedules background operations during detected idle periods, creating a dynamic balance between maintenance tasks and user-facing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Background operations are executed periodically during detected idle times rather than continuously. The system uses trigger events to initiate background tasks at appropriate intervals, ensuring memory reliability is maintained through regular garbage collection and data migration while preserving foreground operation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If background operations are delayed, then foreground operation speed is maintained, but memory device performance and data integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeground operation speedVSAvoidmemory device reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The memory management circuit implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors foreground operation states and uses this information to schedule background operations. When idle periods are detected, the system triggers background operations with a determined time limit, ensuring memory maintenance occurs promptly without interfering with active operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of idle periods and prepares background operations in advance. By detecting trigger events and determining appropriate time limits before executing background tasks, the system ensures that maintenance operations are ready to execute immediately when conditions permit, preventing excessive delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If background operations are executed with a time limit, then system responsiveness is improved, but the completeness of background operations may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem productivityVSAvoidoperation completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before executing background operations, the system determines an appropriate time limit based on the detected idle period and the specific operation required. This preliminary assessment ensures that sufficient time is allocated for complete execution of garbage collection, data migration, or other maintenance tasks while still respecting the need for system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The memory management circuit autonomously monitors operation completion status and can extend or adjust execution time as needed. The system serves itself by detecting when background operations are complete and managing the time limit dynamically, ensuring completeness without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240176681A1Automotive system, method of operating the same, and memory device for the same
Publication Date: 2024.05.30 SK HYNIX INC
  • US20240176681A1 patent drawing
  • US20240176681A1 patent drawing
  • US20240176681A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An automotive system includes a memory device and a controller. The memory device is installed in an automobile. The controller controls the memory device and an electronic device in the automobile. The controller controls the memory device to process a background operation during a time limit when a background operation trigger event may be detected.