Flash Memory Data Consolidation via Buffer Staging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flash memory technology faces inefficiencies in moving data dispersed across multiple physical pages into a single physical page, leading to increased data transfer time and reduced access performance.
Innovation Solution
A data moving method and memory controller that utilize a buffer area equal in capacity to each physical page, where data from multiple physical pages is read into a buffer memory and then written into a single physical page, optimizing data consolidation and transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is read from multiple physical pages and written to a single physical page through buffer memory, then data consolidation efficiency is improved, but data transfer time increases due to additional read-write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-reading data from multiple physical pages into the buffer memory area before the actual consolidation operation. The buffer memory is prepared in advance to hold data from multiple sources, enabling efficient consolidation without repeated access operations. This pre-positioning of data in the buffer reduces the overall transfer time by eliminating intermediate read-write cycles during the consolidation process.
2Speed
If a buffer area equal in capacity to each physical page is used for data consolidation, then access performance is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to additional buffer management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the buffer memory area with automatic management capabilities. The buffer area is configured to self-manage data consolidation operations without requiring complex external control logic. The memory controller utilizes the inherent structure of the buffer to automatically handle data routing and consolidation, reducing the complexity of buffer management while maintaining high access performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is dispersed across multiple physical pages, then storage flexibility is improved, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates when consolidating data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary buffer memory area that mediates between the dispersed physical pages and the consolidation target. This buffer acts as an intermediate staging area where data from multiple physical pages is temporarily collected and organized before being written to the destination page. The intermediary buffer enables efficient data gathering without requiring direct complex coordination between multiple source pages, thus improving data transfer efficiency while preserving storage flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of moving a first portion of data and a second portion of data, which belong to one page data and respectively stored in a second physical page and a third physical page, into a first physical page in a flash memory module is provided. The method includes transmitting a read command for reading page data stored in the second physical page; reading the first portion of data from a buffer area of the rewritable non-volatile memory module into a buffer memory; transmitting a read command for reading page data stored in the third physical page; transmitting the first portion of data from the buffer memory to the buffer area; and transmitting a write command for writing data stored in the buffer area into the first physical page. Accordingly, the method can effectively move one page data dispersedly stored in different physical pages into one physical page.