Host-Controlled Block Maintenance With Dynamic Validity Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in efficiently selecting source blocks for background and foreground block maintenance operations due to static source validity thresholds, leading to suboptimal performance metrics such as latency and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A host system dynamically selects the source validity threshold based on block status information to optimize block maintenance operations, balancing performance metrics like storage capacity and latency by shifting blocks between foreground and background maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a static source validity threshold is used for block maintenance operations, then the system operation is simple, but the performance metrics such as latency and power consumption are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic source validity thresholds that adapt based on real-time memory system conditions. The host system receives block status information indicating current memory states and adjusts the source validity threshold dynamically to optimize performance metrics including latency and power consumption, transforming the static threshold into a dynamic parameter that responds to system conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of source validity threshold from a fixed value to a dynamically adjustable parameter. The host system modifies this parameter based on received block status information, allowing the threshold to vary according to memory system conditions, thereby optimizing performance metrics while maintaining operational simplicity
2Device complexity
If blocks are selected for background maintenance using a fixed threshold, then the selection process is simple, but storage capacity utilization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic threshold adjustment to block selection for background maintenance. The host system receives block status information and adjusts the source validity threshold in real-time, enabling more effective utilization of storage capacity by selecting appropriate blocks for maintenance based on current system conditions rather than using a fixed threshold
3Productivity
If a dynamic source validity threshold is implemented, then performance metrics are optimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary block status information mechanism that mediates between the host system and memory system. This intermediary structure allows the host to receive real-time memory conditions and adjust thresholds dynamically without requiring complex integrated control logic within the memory system itself, thereby optimizing performance while managing system complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for host-controlled block maintenance operations are described. A host system may receive the block status information from a memory system in response to transmitting a request for the block status information. The block status information may include an indication of a first quantity of blocks available for writing and an indication of a second quantity of blocks written with at least a threshold amount of valid data. In accordance with the block status information and a target performance metric, the host system may transmit an indication for the memory system to perform, during an idle time, a block maintenance operation in which data stored at the second quantity of blocks is copied to a subset of the first quantity of blocks and in which the second quantity of blocks are erased after the data stored at the second quantity of blocks is copied.