External Buffer Memory for Map Data Management in Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-capacity storage devices face challenges in managing increasing map data due to limited buffer memory capacity, leading to performance issues and the need for efficient data recovery during sudden power-offs.
Innovation Solution
A computing system with a storage device that utilizes an external high-capacity buffer memory to store and manage map data, allowing for the translation of logical addresses to physical addresses and sending meta data to an external memory device in case of a power-off event, ensuring data integrity and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a high-capacity buffer memory is included in the storage device, then map data management capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer memory function is extracted from the storage device and placed in an external memory device. The external memory device includes a buffer memory that can store map data, while the storage device itself remains simpler in structure. This separation allows the storage device to achieve high map data management capability without internally incorporating large buffer memory, thus resolving the contradiction between buffer capacity and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If map data is stored in external memory device, then storage device complexity is reduced, but data recovery reliability during power-off decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions to ensure data recovery: (1) The external memory device stores not only map data but also meta data that contains information for recovering map data; (2) Upon detecting a power-off event, the memory controller proactively sends the stored map data and meta data back to the storage device before complete power loss occurs. This preliminary action ensures that even though map data is externally stored, reliability is maintained through pre-prepared recovery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Meta data acts as an intermediary between the external memory device and the storage device for recovery operations. The meta data contains essential information that enables the storage device to recover and reconstruct map data from the external memory device after a power-off event. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable data recovery without requiring the storage device to maintain complex internal buffer memory.
3Quantity of substance
If buffer memory capacity is increased in external memory device, then map data management is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The external memory device is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both as a high-capacity buffer memory for storing map data and as a storage device for maintaining meta data and supporting recovery operations. This universal design allows the external memory device to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and thereby minimizing overall system complexity while maintaining high buffer capacity for map data management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A memory device is provided. The memory device includes: a buffer memory; and a memory controller configured to: obtain map data and meta data for recovering the map data from at least one external storage device; store the map data and the meta data obtained from the at least one external storage device in the buffer memory, the buffer memory being allocated for the at least one external storage device; translate a logical address corresponding to the at least one external storage device into a physical address of the buffer memory; and send the map data and the meta data to the at least one external storage device in response to detecting a sudden power-off event.