Flash Device Programming Interrupts to Reduce High-Priority Read Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face inefficiencies in managing flash-based storage operations, leading to increased latency due to unnecessary write operations and lack of direct control by the operating system, which results in redundant processes and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a direct-mapped flash storage system where the operating system directly addresses data blocks without translation by lower-level controllers, managing operations such as data rewriting and erasure, and utilizing non-volatile RAM for fast-write buffering to reduce latency and improve reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional flash storage system with lower-level controllers is used, then data translation and buffering operations can be performed, but latency increases due to redundant write operations and lack of direct OS control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the translation and buffering functions from the lower-level flash storage controller and relocates them to the operating system. This allows the OS to directly manage flash storage operations, eliminating redundant translation layers and reducing latency while maintaining data integrity through direct control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a direct communication interface between the operating system and flash storage device, bypassing traditional lower-level controllers. This intermediary mechanism enables the OS to issue commands directly to the flash storage, reducing the number of intermediate processing steps and minimizing operation latency
2Productivity
If the operating system directly manages flash storage operations, then latency is reduced and control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interface layer in the operating system that can directly communicate with multiple flash storage devices using standardized commands. This multi-functional approach allows the same OS module to manage various flash storage operations (read, write, erase, validate) across different devices, reducing complexity through standardization rather than requiring device-specific control logic
3Reliability
If redundant write operations are performed by lower-level controllers, then data buffering can be achieved, but flash device lifespan is reduced due to excessive program cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements validation logic in the operating system that checks whether data needs to be rewritten before issuing program commands to the flash storage. By performing this preliminary validation, the system avoids redundant write operations that would unnecessarily consume program cycles and reduce flash device lifespan, while still ensuring data integrity through selective rewriting
Data Source
AI summary
A read request with a high priority indication is received. A determination as to whether an in progress flash programming operation would delay processing the read request for a threshold amount of time is made. In response to determining that the in progress flash programming operation delays processing the read request for the threshold amount of time, the in progress flash programming operation is interrupted.