Distributed Holdup Capacitors for Memory Module Power Fail Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face challenges in effectively managing power during failures, particularly in ensuring data integrity and preventing corruption of mission-critical data in volatile memory, as existing power management techniques often fail to isolate energy storage devices from controllers during power outages.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a data storage system with separate energy storage devices for memory group modules, which supply power independently during failures without powering the storage device controller, allowing for data transfer from volatile to non-volatile memory and subsequent resetting of modules to prevent data corruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single centralized energy storage device is used to power the entire storage device during power failures, then the controller can be kept powered to manage data hardening, but the energy consumption increases and the controller may be corrupted by glitch signals during power transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy storage function into multiple distributed holdup capacitor banks, with each memory group module having its own dedicated holdup capacitor. This segmentation allows each module to be independently powered during power failures, eliminating the need to power the entire controller and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining data integrity through isolated power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power management function from the main controller by providing dedicated holdup capacitors to memory group modules. This extraction allows the memory modules to autonomously maintain power during failures without requiring the controller to remain powered, thereby reducing the controller's energy burden and eliminating glitch signal exposure.
2Reliability
If the storage device controller remains powered during power fail operations, then it can coordinate data hardening across multiple modules, but it exposes the controller to glitch signals that may cause corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage device into independent memory group modules, each with its own controller and holdup capacitor. This segmentation isolates each module's power management, allowing data hardening to proceed autonomously in each module without requiring the main storage device controller to remain powered, thereby eliminating glitch signal exposure to the main controller.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a distributed energy storage architecture is implemented with separate holdup capacitors for each memory group module, then energy efficiency improves and controller isolation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a distributed energy storage architecture where each memory group module contains its own holdup capacitor and power management circuitry. This segmentation achieves energy efficiency and controller isolation by allowing independent power management for each module during failures, while the modular design keeps the added complexity contained within each independent module rather than creating system-wide complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures reliable data hardening and integrity by isolating power to memory group modules during failures, preventing data corruption and ensuring efficient energy usage, reducing the overall energy required for power fail operations by half compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more energy storage devices, each of the one or more energy storage devices is coupled to a respective memory group module, and is configured to supply power to the respective memory group module during a power fail operation
Data Source
AI summary
The various embodiments described herein include methods and/or devices used to protect data in a storage device. In one aspect, a method includes performing a power fail operation on a first section of the storage device, the first section of the storage device comprising one or more memory group modules. The power fail operation includes supplying power, via one or more energy storage devices, to the one or more memory group modules, where each memory group module includes a respective memory group module controller. The power fail operation also includes supplying power, via an additional energy storage device, to a storage device controller, the storage device controller corresponding to the first section of the storage device. The additional energy storage device is distinct from the one or more energy storage devices and each are distinct from a power source used during normal operation of the storage device.