Flash Memory Read Disturb Mitigation via Buffer Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flash memory systems experience data loss due to 'read disturb' when data stored in blocks is repeatedly read, particularly affecting system data like firmware code and file allocation tables, leading to instability and potential data corruption.
Innovation Solution
A data reading method that identifies frequently read blocks in a flash memory storage system, allocates a buffer storage area, and copies data from these blocks to the buffer area to prevent data loss, using spare blocks or SRAM for temporary storage and error correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is read repeatedly from the same block in flash memory, then the read operation can be performed quickly, but data loss occurs due to read disturb
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads data from frequently read blocks into a buffer memory before actual read operations occur. This preliminary action stores data in advance, so when read operations are needed, data can be quickly retrieved from the buffer without repeatedly accessing the flash memory block, thus preventing read disturb while maintaining fast read speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer memory as an intermediary between the flash memory and the host system. This buffer serves as a mediator that holds copies of frequently read data, allowing read operations to occur on the buffer rather than directly on the flash memory block, thereby eliminating read disturb effects while preserving fast data access.
2Reliability
If a buffer storage area is allocated for frequently read blocks, then data loss due to read disturb is prevented, but memory resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating buffer storage selectively only to frequently read blocks rather than all blocks uniformly. The system identifies which blocks have high read frequencies and allocates buffer resources specifically to those blocks, optimizing the use of memory resources while providing protection where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the allocation of buffer storage based on read frequency parameters. By monitoring and changing the read frequency parameter, the system can adaptively allocate buffer resources to blocks that require protection, optimizing the balance between data integrity and memory resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A data reading method suitable for a flash memory storage system having a flash memory is provided, wherein the flash memory is substantially divided into a plurality of blocks and these blocks are grouped into at least a data area and a spare area. The data reading method includes: respectively determining whether the blocks in the data area are frequently read blocks; allocating a buffer storage area corresponding to the frequently read block and copying data stored in the frequently read block to the buffer storage area; and reading the data from the buffer storage area corresponding to the frequently read block when the data stored in the frequently read block is to be read. As described above, data loss caused by read disturb can be effectively prevented.