Host-Configurable Memory Overprovisioning for Capacity Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory sub-systems lack the ability for a host system to dynamically adjust the preconfigured overprovisioning capacity of memory devices, leading to inefficiencies in balancing performance and user capacity based on specific usage needs.
Innovation Solution
A host system can select overprovisioning parameter values from a list exposed by the memory device's configuration space, allowing it to adjust the overprovisioned capacity through a controller, thereby updating the operating parameters to optimize performance and user capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the memory device uses a fixed preconfigured overprovisioning capacity, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the host system cannot dynamically adjust the balance between performance and user capacity based on specific usage needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic overprovisioning by allowing the host system to modify the overprovisioning capacity parameter through standard NVMe commands. The memory sub-system controller accepts host-initiated requests to adjust the overprovisioning capacity, transforming the static preconfigured value into a dynamic parameter that can be adapted based on actual usage patterns and performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the overprovisioning capacity parameter from a fixed manufacturing-time setting to a host-configurable parameter. The host system can read the current overprovisioning capacity from the memory sub-system and write a new value, enabling parameter adjustment without hardware changes or manufacturing modifications.
2Reliability
If the memory device allocates more capacity for background processes (overprovisioning), then performance and reliability are improved, but the user capacity available to the host system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the overprovisioning capacity parameter, allowing the system to optimize the balance between reliability and user capacity based on actual needs. The host system can increase overprovisioning when performance and reliability are priorities, or decrease it when maximum user capacity is needed, transforming a static trade-off into a dynamic optimization problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the host system to modify the overprovisioning capacity parameter to change the allocation between background process resources and user capacity. By adjusting this parameter, the host can shift the balance point along the reliability-user capacity spectrum based on workload characteristics and performance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a memory device; and a processing device, operatively coupled with the memory device, to perform operations including exposing, to a host system, a plurality of values of an overprovisioning parameter of the memory device; receiving, from the host system, a selection of value of the plurality of values; and updating, based on the selection, a value of an operating parameter specifying an overprovisioned capacity of the memory device.