Command Overlap Detection Table for Data Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage devices face inefficiencies in command overlap checking, particularly in handling small-size commands, which leads to increased costs and reduced performance due to the need for deep queue depths and extensive hardware resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a command overlap detection table that efficiently stores multiple small-size commands as single records, allowing for compact table design and enhanced checking efficiency, by recognizing and managing both single and multi-logical address commands within the same record.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional command overlap checking is used to ensure data integrity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and hardware resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware-based command overlap checking mechanisms with a software/firmware-based logical address comparison approach. The controller uses logical address information from command queues to detect overlaps through computational logic rather than dedicated hardware circuits, significantly reducing hardware resource requirements while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of command overlap checking from complex hardware systems and isolates it into a simplified logical address comparison process. By focusing only on comparing logical addresses rather than analyzing entire command structures, the system achieves reliable overlap detection with minimal hardware overhead
2Productivity
If deep queue depths are implemented to handle small-size commands, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic queue depth management by using a single depth counter that is selectively incremented or decremented based on command type. For small-size single-LA commands, the counter increments once; for multi-LA commands, it increments by the number of LAs. This dynamic approach optimizes queue depth utilization without requiring permanently deep queues, reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for queue depth tracking from physical command count to logical address count. By measuring queue depth in terms of logical addresses rather than individual commands, the system can handle more commands efficiently with shallower physical queues, reducing hardware requirements while maintaining or improving productivity
3Reliability
If extensive hardware resources are allocated for command overlap checking, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive dedicated hardware resources with software-based logical address comparison logic in the controller. The overlap detection is performed through firmware algorithms that compare logical addresses from command queues, achieving the same reliability function with significantly reduced hardware resource allocation and lower cost
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device includes a controller configured to recognize commands received from a host as single logical address (LA) commands or multi-LA commands. The data storage drive also includes a command overlap detection table having a plurality of records with each record configured to store multiple unrelated LAs associated with different single LA commands and configured to store multiple related LAs associated with a single multi-LA command.