Flash Memory Mirroring Controller With Threshold-Based Trim Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In flash memory devices like eMMC, UFS, and SSD, continuous data writing deteriorates performance due to structural issues with overwriting of unnecessary data, which is not allowed, leading to performance degradation unless a delete command (Trim command) is issued to initialize blocks, but existing mirroring systems lack efficient management of unnecessary data across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus comprising a first and second semiconductor memory that respond to a delete command, with a comparison unit to assess unnecessary data volume against set thresholds and a transmission unit to issue delete commands to both memories when necessary, ensuring simultaneous initialization of blocks and maintaining system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a delete command is issued to initialize blocks in flash memory devices, then writing performance is improved, but system complexity increases due to manual management of delete commands across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The mirroring apparatus automatically monitors unnecessary data volumes in both semiconductor memories and issues delete commands to itself based on threshold comparisons, eliminating the need for external manual management while maintaining writing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The comparison unit continuously monitors the volume of unnecessary data in each semiconductor memory and provides feedback to the transmission unit, which then issues delete commands when thresholds are exceeded, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal performance
2Productivity
If delete commands are issued to multiple semiconductor memories, then overall system performance is maintained, but loss of time occurs due to sequential processing of delete commands
Solution Approach 1:
The comparison unit evaluates the state of both semiconductor memories in advance and determines the optimal timing for issuing delete commands, allowing the system to prepare and execute deletions efficiently without unnecessary delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically monitors unnecessary data volumes and issues delete commands at appropriate intervals based on threshold comparisons, preventing performance degradation while avoiding excessive processing operations
3Device complexity
If unnecessary data accumulates in semiconductor memories, then device complexity is reduced, but writing performance deteriorates due to inability to overwrite
Solution Approach 1:
The mirroring apparatus autonomously monitors unnecessary data accumulation in both semiconductor memories and automatically issues delete commands when thresholds are exceeded, maintaining writing performance without requiring external intervention or complex manual management
Data Source
AI summary
A comparison unit configured to compare volume of unnecessary data of a first semiconductor memory to a threshold of the first semiconductor memory, which is set in advance, and a transmission unit configured to transmit a delete command to the first semiconductor memory in accordance with a comparison result indicating that the volume of the unnecessary data of the first semiconductor memory is larger than the threshold of the first semiconductor memory are provided, and the transmission unit transmits a delete command to the second semiconductor memory upon transmission of the delete command to the first semiconductor memory.