Flash Memory Controller Write Path Error Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flash memory controllers experience latency issues due to write path errors, which halt all write operations and introduce additional latency for error correction, affecting the efficiency of data recovery and write performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that detect write path errors, stall the affected data block, allow subsequent error-free data blocks to be written, and perform error correction independently, enabling instant parity correction and minimizing latency by allowing data to be programmed across different flash memory dies or planes during error correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error correction is performed on a data block with write path error, then data reliability is improved, but write operation speed deteriorates due to halting all subsequent write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the write operation into independent data blocks, allowing error correction to be performed on individual blocks without halting the entire write pipeline. The write path manager identifies and stalls only the specific data block with the error while permitting subsequent error-free blocks to proceed to the flash memory buffer, thus isolating the impact of error correction to a minimal scope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary error detection and stalling of the affected data block before it reaches the flash memory buffer. By detecting the write path error early and stalling the problematic block in advance, the system prevents corrupted data from being written while allowing the write pipeline to continue processing subsequent blocks without interruption.
2Measurement precision
If parity data is recalculated to correct errors, then data accuracy is improved, but processing time increases due to additional calculation latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by allowing the parity calculator to continue generating parity data for subsequent error-free data blocks even while one block is undergoing error correction. The write path manager ensures that the parity calculation pipeline remains active and productive, processing available data without idle waiting time, thus minimizing the overall processing time while maintaining data accuracy.
3Reliability
If all write operations are halted for error correction, then data integrity is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to loss of write throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the write operations into independent data blocks and selectively stalling only the block containing the error. The write path manager identifies the erroneous block and prevents it from proceeding while allowing other blocks to be written to the flash memory buffer simultaneously, thus maintaining high write throughput while ensuring data integrity for the affected block.
Solution Approach 2:
The write path manager acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the error correction process and the write pipeline. It monitors data blocks for errors, stalls only the problematic blocks, and coordinates the resumption of write operations after correction, thereby decoupling the error correction process from the overall write throughput and preventing system-wide halts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach speeds up write performance by allowing continuous data writing during error correction, hiding latency and ensuring efficient data recovery in flash memory devices.
Implementation Method 1
a write path error detector configured to detect if a received data block from a set of data blocks has an error
Implementation Method 2
the parity data may be calculated by performing an XOR operation on the received data block with the previously received data blocks
Implementation Method 3
the instructions stored in the memory cause the processor to perform error correction on the data block with the error
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for flash memory devices to improve the write performance in case of write path errors and to hide the write path error correction latency. Some embodiments can provide instant parity correction to allow user data sharing the same strip with the data block having an error to be programmed into the flash memory before the failed data is corrected. Additionally, selected stalling can allow some independent data in different flash memory dies or planes to be programmed during the time of write path error correction.