Flash Memory Die Layout for Split Fast and Slow Command Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices inefficiently process commands due to all state machines operating in parallel, leading to redundant processing and high costs when not all sequences are needed.
Innovation Solution
Separate state machines into two groups: master and slave dies, where the master die handles slow operations and slave dies handle fast operations, with the master die managing slow state machines for all dies and slave dies handling fast operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all state machines are implemented in every die, then each die can process any command independently, but redundant processing occurs and system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides state machines into two distinct groups: fast state machines (implemented in all dies including slave dies) and slow state machines (implemented only in master dies). This segmentation eliminates redundancy by having slave dies omit the slow state machine implementations while master dies contain both types, allowing the system to process commands efficiently without unnecessary hardware duplication.
2Productivity
If all dies process all commands, then command processing is simplified, but processing efficiency decreases due to redundant operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments command processing into two paths: fast commands are handled by slave dies with fast state machines, while slow commands are handled by master dies with slow state machines. This segmentation enables parallel processing of different command types, improving overall productivity by avoiding redundant processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Master dies are designed with multi-functionality, containing both fast state machines (for handling fast commands) and slow state machines (for handling slow commands). This universal design allows master dies to serve multiple processing roles, improving system productivity without requiring separate dedicated dies for each function.
3Ease of operation
If slave dies include slow state machines, then all commands can be processed locally, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts slow state machines from slave dies and consolidates them into master dies. This extraction eliminates the need for slave dies to include expensive slow state machine hardware, reducing system cost while maintaining operational capability through the master die's slow state machine that can service all slave dies.
Solution Approach 2:
Master dies act as intermediaries between the controller and slave dies for slow command processing. The slow state machine in the master die receives slow commands and coordinates their execution across slave dies, eliminating the need for each slave die to include its own slow state machine hardware and thereby reducing overall system cost.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to improved command processing by separating all state machines into multiple groups. Rather than having one general die that can process any command, this disclosure suggests distributed processing commands by having two types of dies. A slave die will contain the flash array and implementation of state machine that is related to fast operations, and will not include state machines of slow operations. A master die will contain implementation of fast state machine (to support fast commands to the flash array that connected to the master die) and implementation of slow command state machine. The master die will have one instance of the slow state machine implementation, but that slow state machine will be able to be loaded with variables that represent the slow states of all the other dies. The commands processing is based the most suitable state machine for the specific command.