Host Controller Memory Decoupling for Flexible Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing host controllers are limited in their ability to manage and execute commands for memory devices, as they are hardcoded with hardware-defined capabilities, restricting their flexibility in handling different types of memory devices and communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves storing device class-dependent information and commands in host system memory or host controller memory, using pointers to direct access and execute these commands, allowing for device-independent operation and flexible management of memory devices without processor intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If host controller uses hardware-defined capabilities to control memory devices, then the controller has fixed and reliable command execution, but the controller lacks flexibility to handle different types of memory devices and communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts device capabilities information from the memory device itself and stores it in host system memory or host controller memory. This allows the host controller to access and use the actual capabilities of each specific device without requiring complex hardware to pre-define all possible capabilities, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple controller hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The host controller is designed with a universal command execution mechanism that can handle different types of memory devices by reading their capabilities from stored information. The controller uses device class dependent information and commands stored in memory to adapt to various device types, making a single controller design capable of managing multiple device types without requiring device-specific hardware configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If host controller stores device capabilities in hardware, then command execution is straightforward, but the controller is limited to predefined capabilities only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary information structure consisting of device class dependent information and commands stored in host system memory or host controller memory. This intermediary layer acts as a bridge between the hardware controller and the diverse memory devices, allowing the controller to access and execute appropriate commands for each device type without requiring the device capabilities to be hard-coded in hardware.
3Ease of operation
If host controller uses standardized interfaces to manage memory devices, then the controller can operate device-independently, but processor intervention is required which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing device class dependent information and commands in host system memory or host controller memory before actual device operation. When a memory device needs to be controlled, the host controller can directly access the pre-prepared commands and capability information from memory, enabling device-independent operation without requiring processor intervention during the actual command execution, thus maintaining both ease of operation and execution efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for controlling a memory device. One method for controlling a memory device embodiment includes storing device class dependent information and a command in one or more of host system memory and host controller memory, setting a pointer to the command in a register in a host controller, directing access to the one or more of host system memory and host controller memory with the memory device via the host controller; and executing the command with the memory device.