Dynamic Garbage Collection Controller for SSD Memory Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid state drives (SSDs) and similar storage devices face inefficiencies in garbage collection, particularly with random write workloads, leading to resource consumption and poor sustained write performance due to aggressive or passive garbage collection policies, which result in wear and power issues.

Innovation Solution

A memory channel with multiple memory units and a controller that selects a memory unit for garbage collection based on a calculated number of units to optimize garbage collection, balancing wear and performance by determining the minimum number of units to garbage collect for balanced operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aggressive garbage collection policy is applied, then storage space recovery is improved, but wear and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space recoveryVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The garbage collection policy dynamically adjusts the number of memory units to garbage collect based on calculated metrics, transitioning from static aggressive or passive policies to a dynamic approach that optimizes between storage recovery and power consumption based on current system state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of garbage collection aggressiveness by calculating the optimal number of memory units to garbage collect, adjusting this parameter based on system conditions to balance storage space recovery with power consumption and wear reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If aggressive garbage collection policy is applied, then storage space recovery is improved, but memory wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space recoveryVSAvoidmemory wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If passive garbage collection policy is applied, then power consumption is reduced, but sustained write performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsustained write performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The garbage collection policy dynamically adjusts the number of memory units to garbage collect based on calculated metrics, transitioning from static aggressive or passive policies to a dynamic approach that optimizes between power consumption and sustained write performance based on current system state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If passive garbage collection policy is applied, then memory wear is reduced, but sustained write performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory wearVSAvoidsustained write performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The garbage collection policy dynamically adjusts the number of memory units to garbage collect based on calculated metrics, transitioning from static aggressive or passive policies to a dynamic approach that optimizes between wear reduction and sustained write performance based on current system state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9817755B2Garbage collection management in memories

Publication Date: 2017.11.14 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

The disclosure is related to systems and methods of managing a memory. In a particular embodiment, a memory channel is disclosed that includes multiple memory units, with each memory unit comprising multiple garbage collection units. The memory channel also includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the multiple memory units. The controller selects a memory unit of the multiple memory units for garbage collection based on a calculated number of memory units, of the multiple memory units, to garbage collect.