Flash Memory Block State Mapping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flash memory systems face inefficiencies in system throughput due to the need for frequent write and erase operations, especially in block mapping methods, which require coincident offsets and result in increased memory usage and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A nonvolatile memory system that includes a data area and a preliminary area for block state information, allowing the control unit to determine the appropriate block for data operations based on the block state information and update it accordingly, thereby reducing the number of write and erase operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If block mapping method is used to manage flash memory, then data access flexibility is improved, but write and erase operation frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flash memory is divided into multiple blocks, with each block containing a mapping table that independently manages its own mapping relationships between logical and physical addresses. This segmentation allows each block to operate independently, reducing the need for frequent global remapping operations and thereby improving system throughput while maintaining data access flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping tables are pre-organized within each block to anticipate and prepare for future write and erase operations. By maintaining ready-to-use mapping structures in advance, the system reduces the need for frequent remapping operations, thus improving productivity without sacrificing access flexibility.
2Reliability
If offset coincidence is enforced in block mapping, then data integrity is improved, but memory usage and operation frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each block maintains its own mapping table with locally optimized offset management. Instead of enforcing global offset coincidence across the entire flash memory, each block independently manages its offsets, ensuring data integrity within the block while reducing the overall frequency of remapping operations and improving system throughput.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent write and erase operations are performed, then data update capability is improved, but memory lifespan and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flash memory into multiple blocks with independent mapping tables, the system can distribute write and erase operations across different blocks. This reduces the frequency of operations on any single block, extending memory lifespan while maintaining overall data update capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system efficiently manages worn-out blocks by discarding them from active use and recovering their capacity through wear-leveling algorithms that redistribute data to healthier blocks. This extends the overall memory lifespan while maintaining data update capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A nonvolatile memory and a mapping control apparatus and method of the same are disclosed, whereby block state information is changed depending on an operation performed by the nonvolatile memory to efficiently access a flash memory. The mapping control apparatus comprises a nonvolatile memory that has an area divided into blocks and stores block state information representing the state of written data, and a control unit that determines a block for a data operation through the block state information when the data operation is performed in the nonvolatile memory, and that updates the block state information depending on the result of the performed data operation.