Controller Memory Space Exposure for NVMe-Free Firmware Download
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firmware download processes in Non-Volatile Memory express (NVMe) require controllers to support NVMe, leading to complex implementations and higher complexity.
Innovation Solution
Configuring a controller with first information indicating a first memory space for the host to write a firmware image, allowing firmware image transfer without relying on NVMe commands, simplifying the process by exposing the memory space through BAR values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the controller supports NVMe to enable firmware image download, then the firmware download function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the firmware download function from the NVMe protocol stack and implements it through a simplified memory space exposure mechanism. The controller exposes a memory space via BAR values, allowing the host to directly write the firmware image without requiring full NVMe support, thus removing the complex NVMe dependency while retaining the firmware update capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using memory space exposure as a bridge between the host and controller. Instead of using NVMe commands as the intermediary, the controller exposes a memory space that the host can access and write to directly, simplifying the communication protocol while achieving the same firmware download function
2Adaptability or versatility
If the controller uses NVMe Firmware Download command for firmware image transfer, then the firmware update is achieved, but the implementation process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential firmware download function from the complex NVMe command protocol and implements it through direct memory space access. By exposing the memory space via BAR values, the system eliminates the need for parsing and executing NVMe Firmware Download commands, significantly simplifying the implementation while maintaining the firmware update capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the controller actively receiving firmware images through NVMe commands, the patent inverts the approach by having the host directly write the firmware image to the exposed memory space. This inversion simplifies the controller's role to merely exposing the memory space, while the host handles the firmware image writing, reducing the implementation complexity on the controller side
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an electronic system, a controller, an operating method and a memory system, which relates to the field of memory technology. The electronic system comprises a controller and a host, wherein the controller is coupled with the host and configured with first information, and the first information is to indicate that there is a first memory space in the controller; the host is configured to read the first information from the controller, and write the firmware image into the first memory space based on the first information. In the above electronic systems, the download of the firmware image does not need to rely on a firmware download command of NVMe, and the implementation process is simpler.