Volatile Memory Compression Mapping for Capacity-Constrained Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of increasing memory capacity in volatile memory systems, particularly due to their higher cost per capacity compared to nonvolatile memory, is addressed by implementing a storage device that compresses write data and manages compressed data effectively within a volatile memory.

Innovation Solution

The storage device includes a volatile memory with a compression operation circuit to generate compressed data and a control operation circuit to divide physical areas for storing compressed data and logical information, allowing independent management based on compression ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If data is compressed and stored in volatile memory, then memory capacity utilization is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional compression circuits and management mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory capacity utilizationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compression operation circuit and control operation circuit within the storage device controller, integrating multiple functions into a unified structure. This consolidation improves memory capacity utilization through compression while managing device complexity by combining rather than adding separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the volatile memory into first physical areas for storing compressed data and second physical areas for storing logical information. This segmentation allows efficient management of compressed data and metadata separately, improving capacity utilization while maintaining organized access patterns that manage operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If physical areas are divided for storing compressed data and logical information, then data access efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The volatile memory is divided into first physical areas for compressed data and second physical areas for logical information. This segmentation improves data access efficiency by organizing storage locations according to function, allowing the control operation circuit to efficiently locate and manage compressed data through stored logical information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If compression operation circuit is added to volatile memory, then storage capacity is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compression operation circuit is integrated within the storage device controller alongside existing control functionality. This merging approach improves storage capacity through compression while managing manufacturing complexity by consolidating circuits into existing controller architecture rather than adding entirely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250362803A1Storage device including volatile memory and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A storage device comprising a volatile memory comprising a plurality of physical areas, a compression operation circuit configured to compress write data at a first rate to generate first compressed data, and a control operation circuit configured to divide the plurality of physical areas included in the volatile memory into first physical areas and second physical areas, store the first compressed data in the first physical areas, and store first logical information indicating an area storing the first compressed data, in a first selected area of the second physical areas.