Host Defined Zone Group Configuration For Memory Sub-Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory sub-systems lack the ability for host systems to configure zone groups with varying sizes and optimal performance, as they are limited by pre-defined zone sizes supported by the memory sub-system controller, which can lead to suboptimal data placement and reduced performance benefits like throughput and latency.
Innovation Solution
The host system can dynamically configure zone groups by defining zones of different sizes, allowing each zone group to be treated as a single unit, enabling flexible management of data placement and reducing memory maintenance operations, with the memory sub-system controller identifying and opening zones that match the specified size and parallelism criteria for efficient programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-defined zone sizes are used at the memory sub-system controller, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates and productivity is reduced due to suboptimal data placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic zone group configuration where the host system can define zone groups of varying sizes based on workload characteristics. The zone group manager dynamically creates zone groups with different sizes (e.g., 16 KB, 32 KB, 64 KB) rather than using fixed pre-defined sizes, allowing the system to adapt to different data placement requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through automated host-side control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the namespace into multiple zones that can be grouped into zone groups of different sizes. Each zone group is a collection of zones that can be programmed independently, allowing fine-grained control over data placement. This segmentation enables the host to create custom zone group configurations that match specific workload patterns without requiring changes to the underlying memory sub-system architecture
2Productivity
If pre-defined zone sizes are used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced throughput and increased latency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts zone group sizes based on the host's workload characteristics and performance requirements. The zone group manager can create zone groups of different sizes (e.g., 16 KB, 32 KB, 64 KB) to optimize programming throughput for different data patterns, allowing the system to adapt to varying productivity requirements while maintaining ease of operation through automated management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of zone group size from fixed to variable. By allowing zone groups to have different sizes (e.g., 16 KB, 32 KB, 64 KB) based on workload characteristics, the system can optimize programming throughput and latency for different scenarios. The host system specifies the desired zone group size, and the memory sub-system controller configures zones accordingly, achieving both high productivity and ease of operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed zone sizes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates leading to suboptimal data placement
Solution Approach 1:
The namespace is segmented into multiple zones that can be organized into zone groups of different sizes. Each zone group contains a specific number of zones (e.g., 1, 2, 4, or 8 zones) depending on the desired zone group size. This segmentation allows the host to create custom configurations that match specific workload patterns without increasing device complexity, as the underlying zone structure remains standardized
Solution Approach 2:
The zone group manager acts as an intermediary between the host system and the memory sub-system controller. It translates host requirements for custom zone group sizes into configurations of standard zones, allowing workload-specific optimization without requiring changes to the memory sub-system controller's zone management logic. The intermediary layer handles the complexity of flexible configuration while presenting a simplified interface to both the host and the controller
Data Source
AI summary
A set of host data items is received for storage at a memory sub-system. Each of the set of host data items is associated with a common data type. A zone group size metric associated with the common data type is identified among a set of zone group size metrics each associated with a distinct data type. The set of host data items are programmed to memory cells of a zone group having a zone group size indicated by the zone group size metric.