Flash Memory Controller Trim Flag Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of data storage devices is limited by the operational characteristics of non-volatile memory, particularly in efficiently managing and recycling storage space to enhance performance.
Innovation Solution
An integrated trim technology is implemented, where a flash memory controller manages a mapping table to record logical to physical address mappings, allowing for the transmission of fixed data without data processing when a trim command is issued, using different data transmission routes based on a flag to optimize storage space reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flash memory controller processes all read data through the data processing module, then data integrity and security are maintained, but processing time and complexity increase when handling trimmed (invalid) data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by setting a trim flag in the mapping table entry when a trim command is received, marking the data as invalid before any read operation occurs. This preliminary marking allows the read path to quickly identify and handle trimmed data without undergoing full processing, resolving the contradiction by preventing unnecessary processing time while maintaining data integrity through the flag mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The data transmission path is segmented into two separate routes: one for normal data that passes through the data processing module, and another for trimmed data that bypasses the processing module. The mapping table is also segmented with a trim flag field that independently marks invalid data. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability for valid data while reducing processing time for invalid data by routing it differently.
2Productivity
If the mapping table is updated to reflect trimmed data, then storage space recycling is enabled, but additional write operations and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The trim flag mechanism merges the space recycling function with the existing mapping table structure. Instead of requiring separate mechanisms for tracking invalid data and managing space recycling, the patent integrates the trim flag directly into the mapping table entries, allowing both address mapping and validity tracking to be handled in a single data structure. This reduces device complexity while enabling storage space recycling.
3Productivity
If a flag system is implemented to differentiate trimmed data, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but memory requirements and structure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trim flag is implemented as a local quality attribute within the mapping table entry structure, rather than requiring a separate global data structure. By adding a single flag bit to the existing mapping table entries, the system achieves efficient differentiation of trimmed data with minimal additional memory requirements. This local quality approach improves data transmission efficiency while keeping the increase in memory requirements negligible.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device includes a flash memory, a data processing module and a flash memory controller. Corresponding to the operation of a host, the flash memory controller arranges the flash memory to store data, and it stores a mapping table to record the mapping information between the flash memory and the logical address of the host. When the host transmits a trim command to invalidate a specific portion of the mapping table and the host manages to read the data of the specific portion, the flash memory controller sets up a flag to be open so that the data is transmitted to the host without the implement of the data processing module.