Flash Memory Storage Management to Reduce Copy and Merge Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The mismatch between file management units in host devices and flash memory systems leads to unnecessary data copy and merging operations, shortening the service life and degrading performance of flash memories due to the inability to directly apply hard disk file systems and the need for Flash Translation Layer (FTL) management.
Innovation Solution
A data management method that includes a TRIM command to manage storage areas by the flash memory system's units, marking mismatched areas as invalid, and performing erasing operations at idle times to prevent data loss and optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a file system for hard disk is applied to flash memories, then file management is simplified, but data management unit mismatch causes unnecessary data copy and merging operations
Solution Approach 1:
A TRIM manage table is introduced as an intermediary data structure between the host file system and flash memory. This table stores mapping information between host file sectors and flash memory pages, enabling the system to translate file deletion requests into precise TRIM commands that target only the affected flash memory pages, thereby eliminating unnecessary data copy and merging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the data management process by dividing flash memory into page-level units for precise TRIM command execution. Instead of performing operations at the sector level (host file system unit), the system operates at the page level (flash memory unit), creating a hierarchical management structure that reduces operational overhead
2Adaptability or versatility
If Flash Translation Layer (FTL) is used to enable free reading/writing, then compatibility with hard disk file systems is improved, but management unit mismatch shortens service life
Solution Approach 1:
The TRIM manage table is pre-built and maintained in advance to store the mapping relationships between host file sectors and flash memory pages. This preliminary data structure enables the system to immediately execute precise TRIM commands without performing unnecessary data copy operations when file deletions occur, thereby extending flash memory service life while maintaining compatibility
3Ease of operation
If data is managed by sector unit at host level, then file system operation is simplified, but page-level management in flash memory causes unnecessary operations
Solution Approach 1:
The TRIM manage table provides feedback information about which flash memory pages correspond to deleted host file sectors. This feedback mechanism enables the flash memory controller to send targeted TRIM commands only to the affected pages, preventing unnecessary read-modify-write operations and reducing energy consumption while maintaining simple file system operations at the host level
Data Source
AI summary
A data management method of a data storage device having a data management unit different from a data management unit of a user device receives information regarding a storage area of a file to be deleted, from the user device, selects a storage area which matches with the data management unit of the data storage device, from among the storage area of the deleted file, and performs an erasing operation on the selected storage area which matches with the data management unit.