Dedicated HMB Reordering for Out-of-Order Firmware Downloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
In memory drives with low on-chip memory, sequential firmware image downloads to NAND memory result in errors when chunks are out of sequence, leading to inefficient buffer usage due to blocking until a commit command is received.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a dedicated host memory buffer (HMB) to store and reorder firmware image chunks, processing commands, and issuing a commit command for efficient download, ensuring sequence and validity before transferring to storage device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential firmware image downloads are directly written to NAND memory without verification, then the process is simple and fast for in-order chunks, but it results in error responses when chunks are out of sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated host memory buffer (HMB) as an intermediary between the host and NAND memory. The HMB receives firmware chunks, validates their sequence order, and only transfers verified in-order chunks to NAND memory. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling out-of-order downloads from the host while ensuring only correctly sequenced chunks are written to storage, preventing errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware chunks are transferred to a buffer and retained until a commit command is received, then the buffer can store out-of-order chunks, but the buffer portion is blocked and usage becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer into two distinct portions: a dedicated HMB area for storing firmware chunks and a separate area for command processing. This segmentation allows the buffer to handle out-of-order chunks while maintaining efficient usage, as the HMB can store chunks independently without blocking the entire buffer for command processing operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated HMB is allocated for firmware storage, then out-of-order downloads can be handled and buffer usage optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dedicated HMB is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It serves multiple purposes: storing firmware chunks, validating sequence order, buffering out-of-order downloads, and managing the commit process. By consolidating these functions into a single structured memory area with defined protocols, the patent achieves flexible firmware download handling without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a firmware image download operation in a storage device includes a storage device controller that performs the firmware image download operation in the storage device. A dedicated host memory buffer (HMB) within a HMB stores a firmware image. Further, re-ordering or sorting of an address list mapped to the firmware image that is not in sequence is performed while the firmware image is in the dedicated HMB. Another system for a firmware image download operation in a storage device includes a driver of the host that performs the firmware image download operation in the storage device. A dedicated HMB within a HMB is used for the chunks of the firmware image that are not in sequence. Further, sorting an address list mapped to the firmware image that are not in sequence is performed while the chunks of the firmware image are in the dedicated HMB.