Flash Controller Reliable Command Configuration via Read ID Parsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
NAND flash devices require dynamic determination of operation codes (opcodes) for reliable commands, as they vary across different manufacturers and generations, posing a challenge in configuring commands for access to flash memory.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a flash controller that issues a read ID command to a flash module to parse the opcode from reserved bytes in reply data, enabling access to data in Single Level Cell (SLC) mode, and a non-transitory computer program product and apparatus for configuring reliable commands by parsing opcodes from reserved bytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the flash controller uses fixed opcodes for reliable commands, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different flash module generations and manufacturers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flash module pre-stores the opcode of the reliable command in reserved bytes during manufacturing. The flash controller performs preliminary action by issuing a read ID command to retrieve these reserved bytes, which contain the opcode information. This preliminary retrieval eliminates the need for the controller to maintain complex lookup tables or databases of opcodes for different flash modules, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flash module provides self-service by automatically including the reliable command opcode in its reserved bytes response to the read ID command. This allows the flash controller to obtain the necessary opcode information directly from the flash module itself without requiring external configuration or complex internal storage, simplifying the controller's design while ensuring compatibility with different flash modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flash controller retrieves opcode information from external configuration, then the adaptability to different flash modules is improved, but the initialization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the opcode information with the existing ID response data structure by placing the opcode in the reserved bytes of the flash module's response to the read ID command. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate opcode retrieval operations or additional configuration steps during initialization, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing initialization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The reserved bytes in the flash module's ID response serve as an intermediary that carries the opcode information. Instead of requiring direct communication or separate configuration procedures, the opcode is transmitted through the existing ID response channel, leveraging an established communication pathway to efficiently convey necessary information without extending initialization time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flash controller stores multiple opcodes for different flash modules, then the adaptability is improved, but the memory usage and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the opcode information from the flash controller's internal storage and relocates it to the flash module itself, specifically in the reserved bytes of the ID response. This extraction eliminates the need for the controller to maintain extensive opcode databases, significantly reducing memory usage while preserving the ability to adapt to different flash modules through dynamic retrieval of the appropriate opcode.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention introduces a method for configuring a reliable command, performed by a flash controller, including: issuing a read ID command to a flash module; and parsing an opcode of a reliable command from reserved bytes in reply data for the read ID command, where the reliable command is used to direct the flash module for access to data in a single level cell (SLC) mode.