Hybrid Memory Block Ratio Control in Storage Garbage Collection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The garbage collection process in data storage devices with hybrid memory blocks can lead to reduced performance and timeout conditions due to uncontrolled selection of SLC and hybrid memory blocks, causing space imbalances between cache and primary storage partitions.

Innovation Solution

A storage balancing system dynamically determines the ratio of SLC and hybrid memory blocks to include in the garbage collection process based on the device's state, ensuring that hybrid blocks are replaced by QLC blocks when necessary, thereby maintaining partition space balance and improving performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If more hybrid memory blocks than SLC memory blocks are selected for garbage collection, then the primary storage partition space increases, but the cache partition space decreases without freeing up space, leading to reduced performance or timeout conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace in primary storage partitionVSAvoidperformance of data storage device

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines the ratio of SLC to hybrid memory blocks included in garbage collection processes based on the current storage state. The storage balancing system monitors cache partition size and free space in primary storage partition, adjusting the selection ratio in real-time to maintain optimal performance while managing space efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage balancing system continuously monitors the state of the data storage device, including cache partition size and primary storage partition free space. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the garbage collection process to include appropriate ratios of SLC and hybrid memory blocks, ensuring performance requirements are met while maximizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If hybrid memory blocks are included in the garbage collection process, then data is transferred to primary storage partition, but there is no way to ensure SLC memory blocks are included, causing cache partition to shrink without freeing up space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transferred to primary storage partitionVSAvoidcache partition size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of memory block selection ratio based on storage state conditions. When the cache partition size approaches a threshold or primary storage has sufficient free space, the system adjusts the ratio to ensure SLC memory blocks are included in garbage collection, preventing cache partition shrinkage without space freeing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If hybrid memory blocks are used in SLC mode, then the cache partition size temporarily increases, but it is slower to write data compared to dedicated SLC memory blocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecache partition sizeVSAvoidwrite speed to cache partition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality characteristics to different memory blocks based on their location and type. Dedicated SLC memory blocks in the cache partition maintain high write speed for critical operations, while hybrid memory blocks are strategically used when cache space is sufficient and performance requirements are met, optimizing the local quality of each memory block usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Hybrid memory blocks serve multiple functions: they can operate in QLC mode for high-capacity storage in the primary storage partition or be dynamically allocated to SLC mode to temporarily increase cache partition size. The storage balancing system manages this multi-functionality by monitoring performance requirements and adjusting the operational mode accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12632191B2Dynamically determining a ratio of memory blocks to include in a garbage collection process

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A data storage device includes a first partition having memory blocks of a first type and a second partition having memory blocks of a second type. The second partition also includes hybrid memory blocks. A storage balancing system monitors a state of each partition and determines whether to initiate a garbage collection process. The storage balancing system also determines whether hybrid memory blocks, if included in the garbage collection process, are replaceable by allocating memory blocks of the second type as new hybrid memory blocks. If the storage balancing system determines the hybrid memory blocks are not replaceable, the storage balancing system dynamically determines a ratio of memory blocks of the first type and hybrid memory blocks to include in the garbage collection process.