Extensible Non-Volatile Memory Hub for SSD Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-state drives (SSDs) face challenges in increasing memory capacity without escalating the number of controller channel ports, leading to electrical loading and reduced signal integrity, which affects performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an extensible non-volatile memory hub (EN hub) that provides a point-to-point connection between NVM devices and the controller, allowing expansion without additional controller channel ports, using a chain configuration to manage command, address, and data transmission efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of NVM devices per communication channel is increased, then memory capacity is increased, but electrical loading increases and signal integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication architecture by introducing an EN hub as an intermediate device. Instead of directly connecting multiple NVM devices to the controller (which causes electrical loading), the system divides the connection path into segments: controller to EN hub, and EN hub to individual NVM devices. This segmentation allows multiple devices to be connected without proportionally increasing the electrical loading on the controller channel, thereby maintaining signal integrity while expanding memory capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of controller channel ports is increased, then memory capacity is increased, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The EN hub serves multiple functions: it acts as a connection point for multiple NVM devices, a signal regenerator, and a device manager. By making the EN hub multi-functional, the controller can maintain a limited number of channel ports while still supporting extensive memory capacity through the hub's ability to manage multiple device connections and communication protocols.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of controller channel ports is increased, then memory capacity is increased, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EN hub acts as an intermediary device between the controller and NVM devices. This intermediary approach allows the controller to maintain a simpler, more cost-effective design with fewer channel ports, while the EN hub handles the complexity of managing multiple device connections. The cost of adding EN hubs is offset by the reduction in controller complexity and the ability to use standard化的 connection interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an extensible memory hub. An apparatus may include a first extensible non-volatile memory (NVM) hub (EN hub). The first EN hub includes an upstream interface port configured to couple the first EN hub to an NVM controller or to a second EN hub; a downstream interface port configured to couple the first EN hub to a third EN hub or to a NVM device; at least one NVM device port, each NVM device port configured to couple the first EN hub to a respective NVM device via a NVM channel; and an EN hub controller. The EN hub controller includes command logic configured to initialize the first EN hub in response to an initialize chain command from the NVM controller, the initializing including enumerating each NVM device coupled to the first EN hub and each of one or more associated NVM dies.