Dual-Scope Directory for Non-Volatile Memory Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current directory structures for non-volatile memory storage systems require additional entries when a new storage element partially overwrites an existing one, leading to increased directory space requirements due to the need for multiple entries to accurately represent the remaining portions of the older element.
Innovation Solution
A dual-scope directory structure is introduced, allowing new entries to be written into a foreground space while maintaining older larger elements in a background space, reducing the total number of entries needed as new storage elements are added.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-scope directory structure is used to track storage elements, then the directory structure is simple to maintain, but additional entries are required when partial overwrites occur, increasing directory space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The directory structure is segmented into two separate scopes: a foreground scope for new storage elements and a background scope for existing storage elements. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between completely new elements (requiring foreground entries) and partially overwritten elements (maintained in background), thereby reducing the total number of entries needed while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional distinction between two scopes (foreground and background) within the directory structure. By adding this dimensional separation, the system can represent partial overwrites without creating additional entries for the same logical element, as the background scope preserves the original element while the foreground scope tracks only the new portion.
2Reliability
If multiple entries are created to represent remaining portions of older elements during partial overwrites, then data integrity is maintained, but storage efficiency decreases due to increased directory space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The directory is segmented into foreground and background scopes, where the background scope maintains original element entries and the foreground scope tracks new elements. This segmentation enables the system to preserve data integrity through the background scope while avoiding redundant entries in the foreground scope, thereby reducing overall directory space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The background scope acts as a copy of the original directory structure that preserves historical element information. This copy allows the system to maintain data integrity by referencing original entries while avoiding the need to create multiple copies for partial overwrites, thus reducing storage space requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If a dual-scope directory structure is implemented, then the number of directory entries is reduced improving storage efficiency, but the directory structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The directory structure is divided into two manageable segments (foreground and background scopes), each with specific functions. This segmentation reduces the number of entries needed by assigning different roles to each scope, making the overall structure more efficient while keeping each individual scope relatively simple to manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-scope directory structure provides multi-functionality: the background scope handles both original element tracking and partial overwrite representation, while the foreground scope handles new element tracking. This universal design reduces the total number of entries needed while distributing complexity across multiple functional components.
4Measurement precision
If additional directory entries are created for partial overwrites, then accurate representation of storage elements is achieved, but data fragmentation increases reducing storage efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The directory is segmented into foreground and background scopes, where the background scope maintains accurate representation of original elements and the foreground scope tracks new elements. This segmentation achieves measurement precision by preserving original element information while reducing data fragmentation by avoiding unnecessary entries for partial overwrites.
Solution Approach 2:
The background scope recovers and preserves original element information that would otherwise be lost during partial overwrites. By discarding the need to create multiple new entries and instead recovering original entries in the background scope, the system achieves accurate representation while reducing data fragmentation and improving storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system, and method are disclosed. In one embodiment the device includes a non-volatile memory (NVM) storage array to store a plurality of storage elements. The device also includes a dual-scope directory structure having a background space and a foreground space. The structure is capable of storing several entries that each correspond to a location in the NVM storage array storing a storage element. The background space includes entries for storage elements written into the array without any partial overwrites of a previously stored storage element in the background space. The foreground space includes entries for storage elements written into the array with at least one partial overwrite of one or more previously stored storage elements in the background space.