Centralized Power Loss Management for Data Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data storage devices (DSDs) require costly and space-occupying on-board capacitors for power loss management, which is inefficient for systems with multiple DSDs, as each device needs individual power loss management circuitry to prevent data loss during power failures.

Innovation Solution

A centralized power management circuit that includes a power controller, energy storage devices, and a power backup unit, which detects system power loss and provides temporary power to DSDs to flush volatile data from cache memories to main memories, eliminating the need for drive-level power loss management circuitry within each DSD.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If on-board capacitors are installed in each data storage device for power loss management, then data integrity during power failures is protected, but hardware cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrity during power failureVSAvoidindividual power loss management circuitry in each device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates power loss management functionality from individual device-level capacitors into a centralized external power management unit. This single external unit serves multiple data storage devices simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining data integrity protection during power failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The external power management unit is designed to serve multiple data storage devices with a single set of energy storage capacitors. This multi-functional approach allows one power management circuitry to protect numerous devices, eliminating the need for each device to have its own dedicated capacitors and reducing redundant hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If on-board capacitors are installed in each data storage device, then power loss protection is ensured, but space occupation and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower loss protectionVSAvoidnumber of capacitors required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual capacitors that would traditionally be distributed across several devices are merged into a single external power management unit. This consolidation reduces the total quantity of capacitors needed in the system while providing equivalent or superior power loss protection to all connected devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power management functionality is copied from individual device implementations to a shared external implementation. Instead of each device having its own power management circuitry, the function is replicated at the system level, serving multiple devices through a single centralized unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If individual power loss management circuitry is provided in each data storage device, then data protection during power failure is achieved, but system cost and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protection during power failureVSAvoidsystem manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual power management circuits into a single external power management unit, reducing component count and simplifying manufacturing. This centralized approach lowers system cost while maintaining data protection capabilities during power failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The external power management unit provides universal power loss protection across multiple data storage devices, eliminating the need for each device to be manufactured with its own dedicated power management circuitry. This reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enables efficient and cost-effective power loss management across multiple DSDs by providing temporary power to ensure data integrity during power failures without the need for individual capacitors in each device, reducing hardware costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one energy storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10976795B2Centralized power loss management system for data storage devices

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

A power management circuit includes at least one energy storage device and a power controller coupled to the at least one energy storage device. The power controller is configured to enable temporary power to be provided from the at least one energy storage device to a plurality of data storage devices upon a system power loss event. The power controller is further configured to receive a power loss indication signal associated with any individual one of the plurality of data storage devices and responsively enable power loss protection for the data storage device.