Flash Translation Layer Table Backup Optimization for SSD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid state drives (SSDs) face issues with the rapid increase in program/erase count due to frequent complete backups of the flash translation layer (FTL) table, leading to shortened lifespan and inefficient storage utilization, as they backup the entire FTL table each time, even if only a small portion of the content has changed.
Innovation Solution
Implement a flash translation layer table processing method where the control circuit records changed content in a content changed table and determines whether to backup the complete FTL table or only the amended content to a used or blank block, reducing the need for frequent complete backups and minimizing the program/erase count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the complete FTL table is backed up every time, then the data integrity is ensured, but the program/erase count increases rapidly leading to shortened lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the FTL table backup operation into two parts: backing up only the changed content (delta) rather than the entire table. The control circuit identifies and backs up only the modified portions of the FTL table to the content changed table, reducing the backup volume and frequency of complete table operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary changed content from the FTL table for backup purposes. Instead of copying the entire FTL table, the control circuit extracts and backs up only the modified entries to the content changed table, minimizing the program/erase count while maintaining data integrity.
2Reliability
If the complete FTL table is backed up frequently, then the data safety is improved, but the storage efficiency decreases due to redundant data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup operation to only include changed content rather than the entire FTL table. The control circuit identifies which portions of the FTL table have changed and backs up only those segments, eliminating redundant data in the backup process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by backing up only the necessary changed content of the FTL table rather than the complete table. This partial backup approach maintains data safety while significantly improving storage efficiency by avoiding redundant data copies.
3Reliability
If the FTL table is backed up every time data changes, then the data consistency is maintained, but the program/erase count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup operation to target only changed content rather than the entire FTL table. The control circuit identifies and backs up only the modified portions, reducing the frequency and volume of program/erase operations while maintaining data consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the changed content from the FTL table for backup purposes. This extraction approach maintains data consistency by ensuring changes are recorded, while minimizing the program/erase count by avoiding redundant operations on unchanged data.
Data Source
AI summary
A FTL table processing method for a solid state drive is provided. When the control circuit intends to perform the backup action on a FTL table, the control circuit calculates the size of a remaining space of a used block. Then, the control circuit judges whether the complete content of the FTL table is required to be backed up to the blank block. If the size of the remaining space of the used block is enough, the control circuit backs up the amended contents of the FTL table and a content changed table to the remaining space of the used block. Whereas, if the size of the remaining space of the used block is not enough, the control circuit backs up the complete content of the FTL table to a plurality of blank blocks.