Flash Memory Controller Zoned Namespace Configuration

Solution Overview

Problem

The NVMe specification's zoned namespace management is inefficient as existing methods do not effectively allow for the determination of optimal zone size for efficient memory management, leading to suboptimal data processing.

Innovation Solution

A flash memory controller that configures a zoned namespace with uniform zone sizes and continuous logical addresses, generating parameter information for the host device to set up zone-based operations, ensuring efficient data write operations by determining the best zone size for performance and bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the flash memory controller allows the host device to determine zone size, then the host device can configure zoned namespace, but the memory management efficiency is suboptimal because the host cannot determine the optimal zone size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehost device configuration capabilityVSAvoidmemory management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flash memory controller acts as an intermediary that provides pre-calculated optimal zone size parameters to the host device. The controller calculates the optimal zone size based on flash memory characteristics and provides this information to the host, enabling the host to configure zoned namespace efficiently without needing to perform complex optimization calculations itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flash memory controller performs self-service by automatically calculating and providing the optimal zone size parameters. Instead of requiring the host to determine optimal configuration, the controller autonomously analyzes its own characteristics and generates the appropriate configuration parameters, then serves these to the host for efficient memory management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If uniform zone sizes are implemented, then data write operations can be optimized, but the flexibility in adapting to different data patterns is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata write operation efficiencyVSAvoidadaptation to different data patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines optimal zone size as a specific parameter based on flash memory characteristics and provides it to the host. By establishing uniform zone sizes according to this optimized parameter, the system achieves efficient data write operations while maintaining adaptability through parameter optimization rather than structural flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the flash memory controller determines optimal zone size, then performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage device performanceVSAvoidcontroller configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flash memory controller performs self-service by automatically calculating and providing the optimal zone size parameters. Instead of requiring the host to determine optimal configuration, the controller autonomously analyzes its own characteristics and generates the appropriate configuration parameters, then serves these to the host for efficient memory management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flash memory controller acts as an intermediary that provides pre-calculated optimal zone size parameters to the host device. The controller calculates the optimal zone size based on flash memory characteristics and provides this information to the host, enabling the host to configure zoned namespace efficiently without needing to perform complex optimization calculations itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12254202B2Control method of flash memory controller and associated flash memory controller and storage device

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 SILICON MOTION INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a control method of a flash memory controller, wherein the flash memory controller is configured to access a flash memory module, the flash memory module comprises a plurality of blocks, and the control method comprising: receiving a settling command from a host device; in response to the settling command, configuring at least one portion of the flash memory module as a zoned namespace, wherein the zoned namespace logically comprises a plurality of zones; generating parameter information according to a configuration of the zoned namespace; and transmitting the parameter information to the host device, for the host device uses the parameter information to set the zone.