Flash Memory Differential Storage Power Loss Backup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flash memory devices face data loss issues during power loss events, particularly during programming operations, as prior page data stored in volatile storage can be lost, leading to incomplete programming and potential system failures in critical applications like vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a differential storage device with associated logic that automatically initiates backup of prior page data upon detecting a power loss, allowing for the preservation of data without the need for additional energy storage devices, and enabling the completion of programming operations even in the absence of power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hold-up capacitance is used to preserve data during power loss, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data preservation function from the traditional hold-up capacitance approach and implements it through differential storage devices that inherently maintain data during power loss events, eliminating the need for separate energy storage components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the prior page data in differential storage devices before power loss occurs, allowing the original data to be restored after power recovery without requiring continuous power supply during programming operations
2Quantity of substance
If programming operations are performed in multi-pass mode, then storage capacity is improved, but programming time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary backup of prior page data to differential storage devices before executing subsequent programming passes, enabling faster recovery and reducing overall programming time for multi-level cells by preventing data loss during power interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by implementing differential storage that maintains data integrity during power loss, allowing multi-pass programming to complete more efficiently without time-consuming re-programming of lost data
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus having an array of memory cells and a differential storage array might have a controller configured to program first data to a plurality of memory cells of the array of memory cells corresponding to an address of the array of memory cells, program second data to the plurality of memory cells containing the first data, determine if a power loss to the apparatus is indicated while programming the second data, and, if a power loss is indicated, program a first plurality of differential storage devices of the differential storage array responsive to information indicative of a plurality of digits of the first data, program a second plurality of differential storage devices of the differential storage array responsive to information indicative of a plurality of digits of the address, and program a third differential storage device of the differential storage array to have a particular value.