Compressed RAM for Faster Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Volatile memory devices have limited storage capacity, leading to increased latency and cost when storing frequently accessed data, as they cannot accommodate hot data due to space constraints, necessitating the use of non-volatile memory devices which offer higher storage capacity but slower access times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allocates a portion of the volatile memory device as compressed RAM (cRAM) to store compressed copies of data from non-volatile memory devices, allowing faster access and reduced power consumption by decompressing data only when needed, thus increasing the volatile memory device's storage capacity without physical expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If volatile memory device storage capacity is increased to store more frequently accessed data, then access speed is improved, but device cost and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies compression algorithms to change the data density parameter, storing compressed copies of frequently accessed data in volatile memory. This allows more data to be stored in the same physical space, improving access speed for hot data without increasing memory capacity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates compressed copies of data from non-volatile memory and stores them in volatile memory. This copying approach allows the system to access frequently used data from fast volatile memory while the original data remains in non-volatile memory, resolving the contradiction between access speed and storage capacity.
2Loss of time
If volatile memory device storage capacity is increased to accommodate hot data, then access latency is reduced, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By applying compression algorithms, the patent changes the data storage parameter to store more information in the same memory space. This reduces access latency for frequently accessed data without requiring additional volatile memory capacity, thereby avoiding increased device cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies compression specifically to frequently accessed data (hot data) rather than all data uniformly. This local quality approach optimizes access latency for the most critical data while maintaining cost-effectiveness by not over-provisioning memory capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If compressed RAM is allocated in volatile memory device, then storage capacity is increased without physical expansion, but data integrity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains data integrity by keeping the original uncompressed data in non-volatile memory and creating compressed copies in volatile memory. This copying strategy ensures that the source of truth remains intact while allowing flexible storage in the volatile memory portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements error correction codes and validation mechanisms beforehand to protect against potential data corruption in the compressed storage portion. This cushioning approach ensures data integrity is maintained even though compressed data occupies the volatile memory portion.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for a read operation using compressed memory are described. An apparatus may include a host system coupled with a non-volatile memory device and a volatile memory device. The host system may store, in the volatile memory device, a compressed copy of data stored in the non-volatile memory device, for example, based on a score assigned to the data. The host system may identify that the compressed copy of the data is stored in the volatile memory device and may transmit a read command to the volatile memory device that includes a logical address associated with a logical block address of the data stored in the non-volatile memory device. The host system may receive the compressed copy of the data from the volatile memory device in response to the read command and may decompress the data.