Dynamic Address Remapping for Flash Memory Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-volatile data storage devices are prone to damage from frequent reading of specific physical addresses, leading to inaccurate data access and reduced usage period.

Innovation Solution

A data storage device and method that records and analyzes access numbers to identify frequently read logical addresses, converting them to alternative physical addresses to prevent over-accessing and maintain data accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is stored in a specific physical address and frequently read, then data accessibility is improved, but the memory becomes damaged and data accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a logical address as an intermediary layer between the host and the physical address. The controller manages the mapping between logical addresses and physical addresses, allowing the host to access data through logical addresses without directly targeting specific physical addresses. This intermediary mechanism enables frequent data access while preventing direct damage to specific physical memory locations, thus resolving the contradiction between data accessibility and data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic remapping of logical addresses to different physical addresses based on access frequency. When a physical address is detected to be frequently accessed (exceeding a threshold), the system dynamically changes the mapping relationship, redirecting the logical address to a different physical address. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high data accessibility while protecting physical addresses from over-access damage, thereby preserving data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If data is frequently read from a specific physical address, then data accessibility is improved, but the usage period of the data storage device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidusage period

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary monitoring of access frequency for each physical address. The controller continuously tracks how many times each physical address is accessed and compares it against a predetermined threshold. When the threshold is exceeded, the system proactively remaps the logical address to a different physical address before damage occurs. This preliminary action prevents memory damage and extends the usage period while maintaining data accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mapping parameter (logical-to-physical address relationship) based on access frequency parameters. When a physical address exceeds the access threshold, the system modifies the mapping parameter by assigning the logical address to a different physical address. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high accessibility for frequently accessed data while distributing wear across multiple physical addresses, thereby extending the overall usage period of the storage device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the same data is over-accessed, then data accessibility is improved, but the memory becomes damaged and requires protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidmemory damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The logical address serves as a protective intermediary that decouples the host's data access requests from the actual physical memory locations. The controller manages all access requests through this intermediary layer, monitoring and controlling the mapping between logical and physical addresses. This intermediary mechanism allows frequent data access while preventing direct harmful effects on physical memory, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and memory protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of frequent access (which would normally damage memory) into a beneficial monitoring opportunity. By tracking access frequency through the logical address intermediary, the system identifies frequently accessed data and proactively remaps it to different physical addresses. This converts what would be harmful over-access into a controlled process that actually protects the memory by distributing wear, thus maintaining accessibility while preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10223285B2Data storage device and data storage method

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 SILICON MOTION INC

AI summary

A data storage device utilized for storing at least one data includes a memory and a controller. The memory includes a plurality of blocks, and each of the blocks has a different respective physical address. The controller is coupled to the memory for mapping the physical addresses to a plurality of logical addresses. After the controller receives a conversion-requesting instruction, it converts a specific logical address from being mapped to a first physical address to being mapped to a second physical address.