Intelligent Block Allocation for Data Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage devices face challenges in efficiently allocating memory blocks due to systematic process-related deterioration factors, particularly with plane edge blocks which can result in programming voltage margin loss and read disturb issues.
Innovation Solution
The data storage device employs intelligent block allocation by determining whether chosen blocks are plane edge blocks and allocating them as secondary blocks in a redundant write operation, thereby avoiding the challenges associated with edge blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plane edge blocks are randomly allocated as primary or secondary blocks, then block allocation simplicity is maintained, but read disturb issues and programming voltage margin loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of plane edge blocks from interior blocks. Plane edge blocks are specifically identified and allocated as secondary blocks, while interior blocks can be allocated as primary blocks. This localized differentiation resolves the read disturb and programming voltage margin issues specific to edge blocks without complicating the overall allocation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional random allocation approach by introducing a targeted restriction: plane edge blocks are explicitly excluded from primary block allocation and assigned as secondary blocks instead. This inversion of the allocation logic for edge blocks eliminates the harmful read disturb effects while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If plane edge blocks are allocated as primary blocks, then storage capacity utilization is maximized, but programming voltage margin loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of plane edge blocks from interior blocks. Plane edge blocks are specifically identified and allocated as secondary blocks, while interior blocks can be allocated as primary blocks. This localized differentiation resolves the read disturb and programming voltage margin issues specific to edge blocks without complicating the overall allocation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a redundant secondary block copy of the primary block. When a plane edge block is identified, it is copied and allocated as a secondary block instead of a primary block, preserving the programming voltage margin while maintaining storage capacity utilization through the redundant copy.
3Reliability
If redundant write operation is performed with plane edge blocks, then data reliability is improved, but read disturb issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by identifying and separating plane edge blocks from the primary block allocation pool. Plane edge blocks are extracted from the set of candidate primary blocks and assigned exclusively as secondary blocks, removing them from the position where they would cause read disturb issues while preserving their utility for redundant storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional random allocation approach by introducing a targeted restriction: plane edge blocks are explicitly excluded from primary block allocation and assigned as secondary blocks instead. This inversion of the allocation logic for edge blocks eliminates the harmful read disturb effects while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Some data storage devices select blocks of memory from a free block pool and randomly allocate the blocks as primary and secondary blocks to redundantly store data in a write operation. However, some blocks, such as blocks on the edge of a plane, may not serve well as primary blocks. One example data storage device presented herein addresses this problem by allocating such blocks as secondary blocks instead of primary blocks.