Flash Memory Controller Adaptive Write Strategy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent erasing of physical units in flash memory storage systems shortens their lifespan due to the limited number of erase cycles, especially when used as primary hard disks for systems that frequently write and update small quantities of data.

Innovation Solution

A flash memory writing method that counts big and small data usage numbers for each logical unit, allowing data to be written using different processes based on usage patterns, thereby optimizing data writing efficiency and prolonging the lifespan of the storage system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frequent erase operations are performed to write data into physical units, then data writing capability is maintained, but the lifespan of the flash memory storage system is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata writing capabilityVSAvoidlifespan of flash memory storage system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the writing process based on the size of data to be written. For small data, it uses a direct writing method that minimizes erase operations. For large data, it uses a traditional erase-then-write method. This dynamic adaptation reduces unnecessary erase operations while maintaining data writing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the writing parameters (method selection) based on data size. By detecting the data size and selecting different writing processes accordingly, the system reduces the frequency of erase operations on physical units, thereby extending the lifespan of the flash memory storage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional erase-then-write method is used for all data, then data can be written into physical units, but writing efficiency is reduced due to unnecessary erase operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata writing efficiencyVSAvoidtime consumed by erase operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by only performing erase operations when necessary (for large data writes). For small data writes, it skips the erase operation and uses a direct writing method, thereby reducing time loss from unnecessary erase operations while maintaining writing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The writing process is made dynamic based on data size. The system automatically selects between different writing methods (direct write for small data, erase-then-write for large data), optimizing writing efficiency by avoiding unnecessary erase operations for small data while maintaining compatibility for large data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8037236B2Flash memory writing method and storage system and controller using the same

Publication Date: 2011.10.11 PHISON ELECTRONICS

AI summary

A flash memory writing method for writing data into a flash memory storage system is provided. In the present method, a big data usage number and a small data usage number are counted for each logical unit in the flash memory storage system, so as to respectively represent the numbers of writing a big data and a small data into each the logical unit. When a host system writes new data into a logical unit in the flash memory storage system, the new data is written through different writing processes according to the big data usage number and the small data usage number of the logical unit. Thereby, the data writing efficiency is improved and the lifespan of the flash memory storage system is prolonged.