I/O Expander Multi-Channel Status Read Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current memory systems experience significant I/O bus overhead due to the need to individually instruct and couple front-end channels to multiple back-end channels for status read operations, leading to delays and increased operational latency when obtaining status read data from logical units across multiple channels.

Innovation Solution

A method where a memory controller transmits a single multi-channel status read command to an I/O expander, which then cycles through back-end channels to relay status read data back to the controller, eliminating the need for individual channel coupling and connection delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual channel coupling is used for status read operations, then channel connectivity is established, but I/O bus overhead increases and operational latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel connectivityVSAvoidoperational latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual channel coupling operations into a single multi-channel status read command. The memory controller sends one command that simultaneously initiates status read operations across multiple back-end channels, eliminating the need for separate coupling instructions for each channel and thereby reducing I/O bus overhead and operational latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-channel status read command serves multiple functions simultaneously: it couples the front-end channel to multiple back-end channels, initiates status read operations across all coupled channels, and collects status read data from all channels in a single operation. This multi-functional approach eliminates repeated coupling operations and reduces overall operational latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If individual channel coupling is performed for each back-end channel, then status read data can be obtained from all channels, but I/O bus overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus read data completenessVSAvoidI/O bus overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual status read operations into a single multi-channel status read command. This unified command structure allows the memory controller to obtain status read data from multiple back-end channels simultaneously without requiring separate coupling instructions for each channel, thereby reducing I/O bus overhead while maintaining complete data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-channel status read command is a universal command that can simultaneously couple to multiple back-end channels and initiate status read operations across all channels. This single command replaces multiple individual commands, reducing the total number of I/O bus transactions and thereby reducing I/O bus overhead while ensuring complete status data is obtained from all channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual commands are sent to I/O expander for status reads, then all back-end channels are accessed, but operational latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-channel access capabilityVSAvoidoperational latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual status read commands into a single multi-channel status read command that is sent to the I/O expander. This unified command simultaneously accesses multiple back-end channels, eliminating the sequential execution of multiple individual commands and thereby reducing operational latency while maintaining full multi-channel access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-channel status read command performs preliminary coupling of the front-end channel to multiple back-end channels before the actual status read data collection begins. This preliminary action is performed in advance within the single command structure, eliminating the need for sequential coupling operations and reducing the overall time required to access multiple channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240028244A1Methods of operating memory systems with input/output expanders for multi-channel status reads, and associated systems and devices

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Methods of operating memory systems with input/output expanders for multi-channel status reads (and associated systems and devices) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, via a controller-side communication channel, a multi-channel status read command at a first interface of an input/output expander. The method further comprises, based at least in part on receiving the multi-channel status read command, (a) transmitting, via a second interface of the input/output expander, a status read command to logical units over each of two or more memory-side channels; (b) receiving, at the second interface, status read data from the logical units over each memory-side channel of the two or more memory-side channels; and (c) transmitting, via the first interface, the status read data onto the controller-side communication channel.