Dynamic Super Block Formation in NAND Flash Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory management techniques for NAND flash memory are inefficient due to the fixed arrangement of physical blocks within super blocks, leading to poor performance and reduced lifetime caused by unnecessary data migration and erase counts.
Innovation Solution
A memory controller that dynamically manages block arrangements by maintaining individual block information across planes, selecting physical blocks based on erase count, valid count, and other criteria to form super blocks, and migrating data to optimize efficiency and reduce wear leveling issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If physical blocks are fixed in super blocks, then the super block structure is simple, but data migration efficiency is poor and wear leveling is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic block arrangement by allowing the memory controller to reconfigure which physical blocks are combined into super blocks based on real-time wear levels and usage patterns. Instead of fixed assignments, the system dynamically adjusts block groupings to optimize wear leveling and data migration efficiency, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of block combination by selecting physical blocks with different erase counts and wear levels to form super blocks. This parameter-based selection allows the system to optimize for wear leveling and migration efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through algorithmic control.
2Productivity
If blocks are managed as whole super blocks, then management is simplified, but fine-grained optimization of individual blocks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the super block into individual physical blocks for independent management. By tracking and managing each physical block's erase count, valid count, and usage patterns separately, the system achieves fine-grained optimization while using this segmented information to make informed decisions about super block formation and data migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the memory controller continuously monitors individual block metrics (erase count, valid count) and uses this information to adjust super block configurations. This feedback loop enables fine-grained optimization while keeping management complexity manageable through automated control based on real-time data.
3Speed
If super blocks are formed with blocks from multiple planes, then parallel operation capability is improved, but optimal data arrangement within super block is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically determines which physical blocks from different planes should be combined into super blocks based on real-time wear levels and data access patterns. This dynamic formation process optimizes data arrangement efficiency while preserving the parallel operation capability by still combining blocks from multiple planes when beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality optimization by selecting specific blocks from different planes based on their individual characteristics (wear level, erase count). Rather than uniform treatment, the system tailors the composition of each super block to the specific qualities of its constituent blocks, optimizing both parallel operation and data arrangement efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus including computer-readable mediums for managing block arrangement of super blocks in a memory such as NAND flash memory are provided. In one aspect, a memory controller for managing block arrangement of super blocks in a memory includes control circuitry coupled to the memory having at least two planes of physical blocks and configured to maintain block information of each individual physical block in the planes and select one or more physical blocks from the planes for a super block based on the block information of the physical blocks in the planes.