Flash Memory Block Segmentation for Random Write Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flash memory storage systems experience performance degradation due to frequent data moving and physical block erasing when handling small quantities of data written to different logical blocks in a random writing mode.
Innovation Solution
A data accessing method that groups physical blocks into a data area, a spare area, and a random area, where continuous data is written into a spare block and discontinuous data is temporarily stored in a random area, reducing the need for data moving and block erasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flash memory storage system repeatedly executes data moving and physical block erasing operations for small quantity data writes, then the host can access different logical blocks, but the data accessing speed deteriorates and system performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The physical blocks are divided into three distinct areas: data area, spare area, and random area. The random area is specifically created to handle small quantity data writes, separating this function from the main data storage and management processes. This segmentation allows the system to optimize different operations in different areas, preventing performance degradation from repeated擦asing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The random area acts as an intermediary buffer between the host and the main data area. When the host writes small quantity data, it is first written to the random area, which then manages the actual data placement and block management. This intermediary layer absorbs the frequent small writes without propagating the expensive erase-and-move operations to the main data area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flash memory storage system frequently selects physical blocks from spare area and moves data, then the host can write data to different logical blocks, but the time spent on data moving and block erasing increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting physical blocks into data area, spare area, and random area, the patent creates a dedicated zone (random area) for handling frequent small writes. This prevents the spare area from being constantly depleted and recreated, reducing the time spent on block selection and data movement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The random area is pre-established as a buffer zone before actual data writes occur. When write commands arrive, the system can immediately use the random area without needing to perform preliminary block selection and data movement from the spare area, saving time on these operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A data accessing method for a flash memory and a storage system and a controller using the same are provided. The data accessing method includes grouping a plurality of physical blocks of the flash memory into a data area, a spare area, and a random area and when a write command and a new data to be written are received from a host, determining whether the new data is a continuous data, wherein the new data is written temporarily into the physical blocks in the random area if the new data is not a continuous data. Thereby, the number of data moving and physical block erasing is reduced and accordingly the data accessing speed in a random writing mode is increased.