Incomplete Super Block Reconfiguration for Flash Write Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems face reduced write performance due to the accumulation of defective blocks, leading to incomplete super blocks and unused capacity, as they cannot maintain full parallelism and efficient data migration from SLC to TLC mode, resulting in increased programming time and decreased endurance.
Innovation Solution
The system reconfigures incomplete super blocks into complete ones by reassigned orphan blocks within planes, allowing for maximum parallel operations and writing data in SLC mode to complete super blocks before migrating to TLC mode, thereby enhancing write performance and reducing unused capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the system uses traditional super block management ignoring defective blocks, then the structure remains simple, but write performance decreases due to incomplete super blocks and loss of parallelism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic super block management where the system continuously monitors block status and reconfigures super blocks in real-time. When defective blocks are detected, the system dynamically adjusts super block compositions by replacing defective blocks with spare blocks, ensuring complete super blocks are always available for parallel write operations. This dynamic adaptation maintains high write performance without requiring complex static reconfiguration schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of super block composition by maintaining multiple possible configurations. It tracks the status of all blocks and maintains a pool of spare blocks that can be substituted into super blocks as needed. This parameter change approach allows the system to transform incomplete super blocks into complete ones, maximizing parallelism and write performance while managing complexity through systematic parameter tracking.
2Reliability
If the system allocates spare capacity to replace defective blocks, then reliability improves, but the loss of substance (unused capacity) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a block recovery mechanism where defective blocks are identified and removed from active super blocks, then replaced with spare blocks from the unused capacity pool. This allows the system to recover functionality from defective blocks while systematically managing the spare capacity. The recovered blocks can be repurposed or added to the spare pool, minimizing permanent loss of substance while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of defective blocks into a benefit by using them as indicators to trigger reconfiguration. When defective blocks are detected, the system automatically initiates super block reconfiguration, which can improve overall system reliability by distributing data across healthier blocks. The presence of defective blocks thus benefits the system by prompting proactive management actions that prevent future failures and optimize capacity utilization.
3Speed
If the system maintains complete super blocks for parallel operations, then write speed increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring defective blocks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors write operations and block status. When a defective block is detected during write operations or through periodic scanning, the feedback triggers automatic super block reconfiguration. This feedback loop ensures that complete super blocks are maintained for parallel operations while systematically detecting and responding to defective blocks, balancing write speed requirements with detection complexity through automated responses.
4Productivity
If the system performs frequent super block reconfiguration, then write performance is maintained, but the duration of action (time for data migration) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining a pool of pre-identified spare blocks and pre-configured super block templates before defects occur. When a defective block is detected, the system can immediately initiate reconfiguration using pre-prepared resources, minimizing data migration time. This preliminary preparation ensures sustained write performance by reducing the duration of reconfiguration operations while maintaining the capability for frequent adaptations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include a memory device, and a processing device, operatively coupled with the memory device, to perform operations of writing a first portion of data to one or more complete translation units of the memory device using a first number of logical levels per memory cell and writing a second portion of the data to one or more incomplete translation units of the memory device using the first number of logical levels per memory cell. The operations can also include writing a third portion of the data to one or more complete translation units of the memory device using a second number of logical levels per memory cell that exceeds the first number of logical levels per memory cell.