Flash Memory Backup via Segmented Main and Storage Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash memory modules face challenges in data backup due to dispersed data storage across multiple units, making recovery difficult when some units are damaged, and wear leveling technologies can cause data disorder, complicating backup processes.
Innovation Solution
A data backup method using a controller to configure flash memory units into independent backup and main storage areas, allowing for simple and efficient data backup by receiving a backup enabling signal, checking updated data status, and copying important data from the main storage area to the backup area, with independent access and formatting capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is divided into multiple pieces and accessed simultaneously through multiple channels, then data accessing speed is improved, but data reliability deteriorates because dispersed storage makes recovery difficult when units are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The flash memory units are divided into main storage area and backup storage area, with each area containing multiple flash memory units grouped into channels. This segmentation allows parallel data access through multiple channels while maintaining data reliability through dedicated backup units that can replace damaged ones.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If wear leveling technology is used to exchange data between flash memories with different erasure counts, then service life is extended, but data organization deteriorates becoming disorder and discontinuous
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into main storage area and backup storage area, each with dedicated flash memory units. This segmentation simplifies data organization by providing fixed storage locations, making it easier to track and manage data even as wear leveling operations occur within each segmented area.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup storage area maintains copies of important data from the main storage area. This copying mechanism simplifies data management by providing redundant copies that can be used for recovery, reducing the complexity of tracking data locations through wear leveling operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple backup method using another flash memory module of the same capacity is used, then backup implementation is simplified, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to requiring additional dedicated backup hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The backup storage area is merged with the existing flash memory units within the same module, rather than requiring a separate backup module. This merging approach simplifies backup implementation while efficiently utilizing existing hardware resources, as the backup capacity is integrated into the original module structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flash memory units serve multiple functions: they can be configured as main storage area for primary data or as backup storage area for redundant data. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware resources to be flexibly allocated based on backup requirements, eliminating the need for dedicated backup hardware.
4Ease of operation
If independent access to backup and main storage areas is implemented, then backup management is simplified, but controller complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller manages independently addressable main storage area and backup storage area through segmented channel assignments. Each area has dedicated channels for access, which simplifies backup management operations while the controller handles the complexity of independent access control through structured channel management.
Data Source
AI summary
A data backup method for a flash memory module is provided. The flash memory module includes a plurality of flash memory units. In the data backup method, a controller is first provided to receive a backup function enabling signal. The controller then configures the flash memory units according to the backup function enabling signal such that at least one of the flash memory units is configured as a backup storage area and the flash memory units that are not in the backup storage area are configured as a main storage area. The controller then checks and receives an updated status of important data in the main storage area and backs up the important data into the backup storage area according to the updated status. Accessing to the backup storage area and accessing to the main storage area by the controller are independent.