CXL SSD Memory Service Partitioning for Power-Fail Data Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid-state drives (SSDs) configured for storage services face limitations in efficiently utilizing volatile memory due to backup power constraints, which restrict the amount of memory that can be used for cache-coherent memory services, and there is a need for host systems to query and customize these services effectively.

Innovation Solution

SSDs are equipped with a host interface supporting Compute Express Link (CXL) protocols to provide both storage and memory services, allowing host systems to query and partition volatile memory for cache-coherent services, with optional backup power elimination, and configure memory services based on host requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a memory sub-system uses volatile memory to provide fast memory services, then access speed is improved, but data is lost during power failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory access speedVSAvoiddata preservation during power failure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The memory sub-system is segmented into two distinct memory spaces: a volatile memory space for high-speed cache operations and a non-volatile memory space for persistent storage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast access speeds for frequently accessed data while ensuring data persistence for critical information through the non-volatile memory component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the persistence parameter of memory by introducing non-volatile memory with a retention time of at least one second. This parameter change enables the memory sub-system to maintain data during power failures while still providing fast access speeds through the volatile memory portion, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a memory sub-system provides both memory services and storage services over a single physical connection, then device versatility is improved, but protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual service capabilityVSAvoidprotocol handling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory sub-system segments its memory resources into distinct volatile and non-volatile portions, each accessible through the same physical connection but with different service characteristics. This segmentation enables the system to provide both memory services (via volatile memory) and storage services (via non-volatile memory) over a single CXL connection without requiring separate protocol stacks, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The memory sub-system implements multi-functionality by enabling a single physical connection to support both memory services and storage services simultaneously. The host system can access either service type through the same connection interface, eliminating the need for separate connections and reducing protocol handling complexity while enhancing device versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a memory sub-system eliminates backup power sources, then device complexity is reduced, but data preservation during power failures becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower infrastructureVSAvoiddata preservation during power failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes the backup power source component from the memory sub-system by implementing non-volatile memory with inherent retention capability. This extraction eliminates the need for separate power infrastructure while maintaining data preservation functionality, as the non-volatile memory can retain data for at least one second without external power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces expensive and complex backup power infrastructure with a simpler non-volatile memory solution that provides sufficient retention time (at least one second) for data preservation. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining adequate reliability for the intended application, as the non-volatile memory serves the data preservation function without requiring additional power management hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12632375B2Configuration of memory services of a data storage device to a host system

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A host system connected to a memory sub-system via a connection to configure memory services provided by the memory sub-system to the host system over the connection. The memory sub-system can allocate a portion of its memory resources to provide storage services to the host system, and allocate another portion of its memory resources to provide memory services to the host system. In response to a request from the host system over the connection, the memory sub-system can update configuration data of the memory services and provide the memory services according to the parameters specified by the request. The request can be implemented in the protocol over the connection for storage access, or in the protocol over the connection for memory access. The request can be implemented via a store instruction, a write command, or another command having another command identifier.