Hybrid Memory System Selective Maintenance Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems incur unnecessary costs and resource degradation due to routine maintenance operations on backing storage media, as all data is typically subjected to maintenance even after it is no longer active or relevant.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid memory system with a cache and backing store that uses status information to selectively disable maintenance operations on data pages identified as 'unmanaged' in the cache, reducing unnecessary maintenance by leveraging a DRAM cache and SCM backing store with a logic system to monitor and control page status, thereby minimizing power and processing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If routine maintenance operations are performed on all data in backing storage media, then data reliability is maintained, but power consumption and processing resources are wasted on already active data in cache
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating maintenance treatment based on data location: data in cache memory receives no maintenance operations while data in backing storage media undergoes routine maintenance. The memory controller evaluates the presence status of each data page and applies maintenance selectively, giving different quality of maintenance service to different parts of the storage system based on their current state and importance.
2Reliability
If routine maintenance operations are performed on all data in backing storage media, then data reliability is maintained, but processing resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by customizing maintenance operations according to the specific location and status of each data page. Active data in cache is excluded from maintenance operations while data in backing storage receives appropriate maintenance, optimizing the allocation of processing resources to where they are actually needed.
3Reliability
If all data in backing storage media is subjected to maintenance operations, then data integrity is ensured, but unnecessary costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying maintenance operations only to data pages that are not currently active in cache memory. The memory controller evaluates the presence status of each data page and selectively applies maintenance, ensuring data integrity for stored data while avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure on data that is already protected by its presence in cache.
4Use of energy by moving object
If maintenance operations are ceased for data in cache, then power consumption is reduced, but data reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the cache memory as an intermediary that protects data from maintenance operations. Data in cache serves as a proxy that absorbs the need for maintenance, allowing the system to skip maintenance on active data while maintaining reliability through the cache's volatile storage properties and the selective maintenance of backing storage data.
Data Source
AI summary
Memory controllers, devices, modules, systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory system is disclosed. The memory system includes volatile memory configured as a cache. The cache stores first data at first storage locations. Backing storage media couples to the cache. The backing storage media stores second data in second storage locations corresponding to the first data. Logic uses a presence or status of first data in the first storage locations to cease maintenance operations to the stored second data in the second storage locations.