Flash Memory Error Handling via Bit Distribution Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flash memory devices experience time-intensive and power-consuming data transfer processes due to repeated read retries caused by uncorrectable errors, which consume unnecessary bandwidth and power between the flash memory controller and the flash memory.
Innovation Solution
A flash memory device with a control circuit that retrieves data using a read retry table (RRT) to determine the number or ratio of zeroes and ones, applying different voltage levels to verify data validity, reducing the need for repeated read operations by ensuring only valid data is transmitted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flash memory controller performs read retry operations to correct errors in read data, then data reliability is improved, but data transfer time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing error detection on read data immediately after reading from the flash memory, before the data is fully transferred to the controller. The control circuit detects errors by analyzing the distribution of zeros and ones in the read data and determines whether retry is needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary complete data transfers and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the flash memory device to autonomously detect errors in its own read data through the control circuit. The device self-determines whether the read data contains errors by analyzing bit distribution patterns and self-decides whether to perform read retry operations, reducing the need for controller intervention and improving overall system efficiency.
2Reliability
If the flash memory controller performs read retry operations to correct errors, then data reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing error detection on read data immediately after reading from the flash memory, before the data is fully transferred to the controller. The control circuit detects errors by analyzing the distribution of zeros and ones in the read data and determines whether retry is needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary complete data transfers and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the flash memory device to autonomously detect errors in its own read data through the control circuit. The device self-determines whether the read data contains errors by analyzing bit distribution patterns and self-decides whether to perform read retry operations, reducing the need for controller intervention and improving overall system efficiency.
3Reliability
If repeated read retry operations are performed, then error correction capability is improved, but bandwidth usage increases due to unnecessary data retransmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing error detection on read data immediately after reading from the flash memory, before the data is fully transferred to the controller. The control circuit detects errors by analyzing the distribution of zeros and ones in the read data and determines whether retry is needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary complete data transfers and reducing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the flash memory device to autonomously detect errors in its own read data through the control circuit. The device self-determines whether the read data contains errors by analyzing bit distribution patterns and self-decides whether to perform read retry operations, reducing the need for controller intervention and improving overall system efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A flash memory device includes a flash memory configured to store a plurality of pages and a control circuit coupled to the flash memory. The control circuit is configured to retrieve data from a page of the flash memory, determine a number of zeroes or ones of the retrieved data, determine whether the number is between a first value and a second value, and determine that the retrieved data has one or more errors based on determining that the number is not between the first value and the second value.