Dynamic Polling Interval Adjustment for Non-Volatile Memory Controllers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polling operations in non-volatile memory systems can negatively impact system performance by increasing latency and power consumption due to high or low polling frequencies, as they occupy the bus and delay memory operations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that dynamically updates polling intervals based on a polling factor and distribution of memory operation completion times, optimizing the timing of polling operations by adjusting the frequency of polling until the memory component returns a ready status or a predetermined number of iterations is reached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If polling frequency is increased to quickly determine memory component status, then responsiveness is improved, but power consumption and bus occupancy increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolling responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The polling interval is dynamically adjusted based on the operational status of the memory component. When the component is busy, the polling interval is extended (multiplied by a polling factor greater than 1) to reduce polling frequency and save power. When the component becomes ready, the polling interval is reset to a baseline value, increasing polling frequency for quick status detection. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the polling interval parameter adaptively based on memory component status. The polling factor is applied to extend the interval during busy periods, and the interval is reset when ready status is detected. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize between fast status detection and power savings by adjusting the polling frequency according to actual operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If polling frequency is increased to quickly determine memory component status, then responsiveness is improved, but bus occupancy and memory operation delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolling responsivenessVSAvoidmemory operation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The polling interval is dynamically extended when the memory component is busy, reducing the frequency of polling operations during periods when the component cannot respond anyway. This prevents polling from occupying the bus unnecessarily and delaying memory operations. When the component transitions to ready status, the polling interval is reset, allowing quick status detection without compromising overall system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic polling with variable intervals rather than continuous or fixed-frequency polling. The polling factor creates an extended periodic interval during busy periods, reducing bus occupancy. The interval is periodically reset when ready status is detected, maintaining the ability to quickly initiate new operations. This periodic action with adaptive timing resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and operation delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed polling interval is used, then implementation is simple, but system performance is suboptimal due to inability to adapt to varying memory operation durations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolling implementation simplicityVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of the polling interval using a polling factor, transforming a simple fixed-interval polling mechanism into an adaptive system. The complexity increase is minimal (multiplying by a factor and resetting), while the performance improvement is significant. The system adapts to varying memory operation durations by extending the polling interval during busy periods and resetting when ready, optimizing throughput without complex implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11500543B2Data storage device and method for memory operation and iterative polling

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A controller of the data storage system may poll a non-volatile memory component to determine an operational status of the non-volatile memory component after a memory operation has been initiated in the non-volatile memory component. The controller may, in response to determining the operational status of the non-volatile memory component is busy, update a polling interval based on a polling factor. The controller may re-poll the non-volatile memory component to determine the operational status of the non-volatile memory component after expiration of the updated polling interval. The controller may repeat the updating of the polling interval and the re-polling of the non-volatile memory component until the operational status of the non-volatile memory component is determined to be ready or until a predetermined number of iterations of the updating and re-polling have been performed if, in response to the re-polling, the operational status is determined to be busy.