Flash Memory Region Power Control via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer storage systems face inefficiencies in power management and data access speed due to the lack of independent control over flash memory regions, leading to unnecessary power consumption and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A storage control device is introduced, featuring a HDD interface controller and a flash memory-based storage system with a memory interface controller, utilizing a PCI Express interface for independent control of memory regions, power management, and parallel data access, which enables efficient power distribution and enhanced data transfer speeds by grouping flash memory into regions and blocks for independent control and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If flash memory is treated as a single unified storage space, then the storage system is simple to manage, but power consumption cannot be reduced and access speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flash memory storage space is divided into multiple independently controllable memory regions, each with its own power control switch. This segmentation allows the system to turn off power to specific regions that are not currently in use, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to manage each region independently through the memory interface controller.
2Speed
If sequential access is used to flash memory regions, then the control mechanism is simple, but data access speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flash memory into multiple independent regions, each region can be accessed simultaneously through parallel memory access interfaces. The memory interface controller manages these parallel accesses by coordinating with the HDD interface controller, enabling concurrent read/write operations across different memory regions without requiring complex sequential coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from sequential one-dimensional access to parallel multi-dimensional access by introducing independent power control and independent access pathways for each memory region. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous operations across multiple regions, significantly improving data access speed through parallel processing.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If all memory regions are kept powered on, then data access is always available, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a mapping relationship between logical storage addresses and physical memory regions, allowing the memory interface controller to predict which regions will be accessed next. By using this mapping information, the system can proactively keep power on only for regions that are likely to be accessed soon, while turning off power to regions that are not currently needed, thus balancing power savings with access availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory interface controller continuously monitors access patterns to flash memory regions and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust power distribution. When a region is accessed, the controller notes this activity and ensures power remains supplied to that region. Conversely, when no access occurs for a predetermined period, the controller turns off power to that region through its associated switch, optimizing the balance between power consumption and access reliability.
4Productivity
If data format conversion is performed sequentially, then the conversion process is simple, but data transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The data format conversion process is segmented and distributed across multiple memory regions. Each memory region has its own converter that can independently convert data formats for that specific region. This segmentation allows parallel conversion operations to occur simultaneously across different regions, significantly improving data transfer efficiency while distributing the conversion complexity across multiple independent units rather than concentrating it in a single sequential process.
Data Source
AI summary
A flash memory-based storage grouped into memory regions is controlled by determining whether the flash memory is accessed or not. Power to a first of the memory regions is controlled according to the determination result. Power to a second of the memory regions is controlled according to the determination result. Controlling includes enabling provision of power to the first memory region while concurrently denying power to the second memory region.