Flash Memory Controller Empty Page Detection via Boundary Register
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash memory controllers face high power consumption and computational load when determining whether page units in a block are empty after a sudden power loss, as they need to read multiple page data from the flash memory device to identify the last accessed page, which is inefficient and power-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A flash memory device with an I/O control circuit, command register, address register, memory cell array, address decoder, and control circuit that allows the flash memory controller to directly receive a report of the boundary position between accessed and non-accessed pages, reducing the need for the controller to check page units individually and thus minimizing power consumption and computational load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the flash memory controller reads multiple page data from the flash memory device to determine the last accessed page, then the controller can identify empty pages, but the power consumption and computational load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flash memory device performs preliminary action by maintaining a record of the last accessed page address in a register before power loss occurs. When power is restored, this pre-stored address information is immediately provided to the controller, eliminating the need for the controller to read multiple pages to determine the last accessed position. This preliminary recording action directly reduces the controller's power consumption and computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a register within the flash memory device that stores the last accessed page address. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the memory device and the controller, providing the controller with direct access to boundary position information without requiring the controller to perform complex read operations. The intermediary register bridges the information gap efficiently.
2Measurement precision
If the flash memory controller checks each page unit individually to determine empty pages, then accurate identification can be achieved, but the computational load and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the function of tracking the last accessed page from the flash memory controller and relocates it to the flash memory device itself. The memory device now maintains this information in its internal register, extracting the computational burden from the controller. This allows the controller to simply read the stored address rather than performing individual page checks, significantly improving processing efficiency while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The flash memory device performs self-service by automatically maintaining and managing the record of the last accessed page address in its own register. This self-maintained information is then provided to the controller when needed, eliminating the need for the controller to perform complex determination algorithms. The device serves itself by keeping track of its own access state.
3Measurement precision
If the flash memory controller performs complex computation to determine empty pages, then accurate results are obtained, but the controller loading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flash memory device performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the boundary position (last accessed page address) in a register during normal operation. When power loss and recovery occur, this pre-stored information is immediately available to the controller, eliminating the need for complex post-recovery computation. The preliminary recording of boundary information simplifies the controller's task significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary register within the flash memory device that stores boundary position information. This intermediary provides the controller with direct access to accurate boundary positions without requiring the controller to perform complex computations. The intermediary register acts as an information bridge that simplifies the controller's operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A flash memory controller is used in a storage device and coupled to a flash memory device of the storage device through a specific communication interface and includes an input/output (I/O) circuit and a processor. The I/O circuit is used for sending commands and data between the flash memory device and the processor. The processor is used for controlling the I/O circuit sending a specific boundary check command signal or a specific boundary check set-feature signal via the specific communication interface to the flash memory device, to make the flash memory device read out more page data of multiple page units from a specific block in the memory cell array based on a smaller search range and to make the flash memory device determine whether the multiple page units are empty pages; the search range can be defined by a start page address stored in the flash memory device.