Host-Managed Storage Mapping Without Flash Translation Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems rely on controllers to manage data storage operations, which may lead to delays when host-initiated operations are not timely performed by the controller due to ongoing tasks.
Innovation Solution
The host actively participates in managing data storage by directly controlling physical data locations through a host-initiated mapping mechanism, eliminating the need for a flash translation layer and enabling direct management of logical to physical address mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the controller manages data storage operations autonomously, then data storage reliability is improved, but operation timeliness deteriorates due to delays when the host's operations are not timely performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a host-initiated mapping mechanism as an intermediary between the host and storage device. The host directly manages logical-to-physical address mapping and initiates data placement operations, eliminating the need for the controller to autonomously manage data storage. This intermediary mechanism allows the host to directly control data storage operations, improving timeliness while maintaining reliability through direct host management.
2Reliability
If the controller autonomously manages data storage, then data storage reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for a flash translation layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address mapping and data management functions from the controller and relocates them to the host. By removing the flash translation layer and controller-managed mapping mechanisms, the controller's complexity is reduced while the host assumes responsibility for managing logical-to-physical address mapping and initiating data storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The host-initiated mapping mechanism serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for a complex flash translation layer in the controller. The host directly manages address mapping and communicates data placement requirements to the storage device, simplifying the controller's architecture while maintaining reliable data storage through direct host control.
3Loss of time
If the host actively manages physical data locations, then operation timeliness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased host management responsibilities
Solution Approach 1:
The host-initiated mapping mechanism provides an intermediary framework that enables timely host control over data storage while abstracting the complexity of physical location management. The host manages logical-to-physical address mapping and initiates data placement operations through a standardized interface, improving timeliness without overwhelming the host with low-level storage device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes an interface circuit configured to connect to a host device, a controller electrically connected to the interface circuit, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory electrically connected to the controller. The controller is configured to transmit a first response in response to a power supplied from the host device via the interface circuit, upon receipt of a first command from the host device after transmitting the first response, determine a status of data stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and transmit to the host device a second response including the determined status of the data stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory.