Battery-Backed Storage Sets for Data Flushing After Power Drops
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices face challenges in preventing data loss during sudden power off (SPO) situations due to insufficient power supply from additional batteries, especially when volatile memory data needs to be dumped to non-volatile memory.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a battery module that supplies spare power and controls storage sets to perform data flushing operations during abnormal power drops, offloading power management tasks from the host to the battery module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery is added to the storage device to supply power during sudden power off, then data loss prevention capability is improved, but the device complexity and power supply structure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is introduced as an intermediary component between the host and storage device. The PMIC manages power supply coordination, battery charging/discharging control, and power failure detection, thereby preventing data loss without requiring complex direct battery-integration logic in the storage device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device is designed to autonomously detect power failures and initiate data flushing operations to non-volatile memory without requiring host intervention. The device independently manages its own power failure response, including switching between power sources and executing data protection protocols.
2Productivity
If the volatile memory size is increased to improve computing function, then the computing capability is improved, but the amount of data requiring power for dumping increases, exposing the limitation of additional battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is segmented into volatile memory for active computing operations and non-volatile memory for data persistence. This segmentation allows the volatile memory to be sized for optimal computing performance while the non-volatile memory handles data dumping, eliminating the need to size the battery based on total memory capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data flushing operations to non-volatile memory before power is completely lost. Upon detecting a power failure, the storage device immediately initiates data dumping from volatile to non-volatile memory, ensuring data protection without requiring the battery to sustain power for extended periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents data loss by ensuring sufficient power is provided for data flushing, even during power glitches or sudden power offs, enhancing data integrity and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a battery module connected to the back plane to supply spare power to at least one storage set of the plurality of storage sets through the switching block, when an abnormal power drop is detected in the at least one storage set of the plurality of storage sets
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes a host, a back plane including a switching block and connected to the host, a plurality of storage sets connected to the back plane to receive power from the host, and a battery module connected to the back plane to supply spare power to at least one storage set of the plurality of storage sets through the switching block, when an abnormal power drop is detected in the at least one storage set of the plurality of storage sets. The battery module controls the at least one storage set to perform a data flushing operation, when power less than or equal to a threshold value is detected in the at least one storage set after supplying the spare power.