Backup Power Circuit for Storage Devices Preventing Data Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inclusion of capacitors in storage devices for power loss protection increases costs and poses a risk of data loss during unexpected power outages, as the backup power supply may be insufficient to complete data storage operations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a power source circuit that supplies backup power to storage devices and a processor that transmits instructions to save user data and address translation information to non-volatile memory after a power loss, ensuring data integrity without the need for capacitors in the storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitors are included in storage devices for power loss protection, then data loss prevention capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator system consisting of a power source circuit and control processor that acts as an intermediary between the external power source and the storage devices. This mediator monitors power status and coordinates data saving operations across multiple storage devices, eliminating the need for individual capacitors in each device while maintaining data loss prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power loss protection function from individual storage devices into a centralized system. By combining multiple storage devices under a single control architecture with a shared power source circuit, the system achieves coordinated data protection without requiring costly capacitors in each device
2Reliability
If capacitors are included in storage devices for power loss protection, then data integrity during power outages is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control processor serves as an intermediary that manages the power loss protection function at the system level rather than requiring hardware components in each device. This software-based coordination approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for capacitor assembly in individual storage devices
3Device complexity
If backup power supply is insufficient in storage devices, then device complexity is reduced, but data loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backup power capability from individual devices into a centralized power source circuit that serves multiple storage devices. This system-level approach provides sufficient backup power capacity without requiring complex capacitor assemblies in each device, as the power management is coordinated across the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The control processor performs preliminary actions by detecting power loss conditions and initiating coordinated data saving operations before data loss can occur. This proactive system-level response eliminates the need for individual devices to have complex local backup power mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device connectable to a plurality of storage devices includes a power source circuit configured to supply power from a backup power source to each of the plurality of storage devices in response to a power loss event, and a processor. The processor is configured to transmit, to each of the storage devices, a first instruction to save user data that have been transmitted to the storage device and have not been written in a non-volatile manner, in response to the power loss event, and transmit, to at least one of the storage devices, a second instruction to save updated address translation information that corresponds to the user data and has not been reflected in an address translation table, upon receiving a response indicating completion of saving the user data from each of the storage devices.