Linked-List Interlineation for Flash Memory Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile flash memory technologies face inefficiencies in updating data due to the need to erase entire blocks rather than individual sectors, leading to rapid wear and inefficient data storage, as small changes in data often require new memory locations, causing premature block erasure and rewriting.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of linked-list interlineation logic, which allows for storing subsequent data sets within existing memory sectors by identifying and replacing specific patterns, such as strings of ones, without erasing the sector, thereby reducing the frequency of block erasures and extending memory life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is updated in non-volatile flash memory by writing new data, then the data is updated, but the entire block must be erased first which increases wear and reduces memory lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data structure into multiple versions stored as separate linked-list entries within the same sector. Instead of updating entire blocks, individual data entries can be modified by creating new versions that coexist with previous versions, allowing selective updates without erasing the entire block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating multiple versions of data structures within each sector and establishing linked-list relationships between them. This allows updates to be performed by simply adding new entries to the linked list rather than erasing and rewriting entire blocks, thereby extending memory lifespan while maintaining update efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If entire blocks are erased to update data, then data can be rewritten, but the operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data storage into segmented linked-list entries where each entry represents a version of the data. Updates are performed by adding new entries to the list rather than erasing entire blocks, making the operation simpler and faster while maintaining data integrity through version control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of data in new linked-list entries when updates are needed, rather than modifying existing entries in place. This copying approach allows updates to proceed without erasing the block, reducing operation time and complexity while preserving historical data versions.
3Reliability
If small data changes require new memory locations, then data integrity is maintained, but memory space is wasted and blocks wear out faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple versions of data structures into a single sector by organizing them as linked-list entries. This allows small data changes to be stored in new entries within the same sector rather than requiring entirely new memory locations, improving space utilization while maintaining data integrity through version tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple data versions are nested within the same sector memory space. Each data version is encapsulated as a linked-list entry that contains pointers to previous versions, allowing efficient space utilization by nesting related data structures together rather than scattering them across different blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, linked-list interlineation of data in accordance with the present description includes inserting a subsequent set of data in a linked-list data structure within an initial data structure. The linked-list data structure includes a sequence of linked-list entries interspersed with the initial data of the initial data structure. To insert the subsequent data, a pattern of data within the initial data structure is replaced with data of the subsequent set of data in a sequence of linked-list entries of the linked-list data structure. Other aspects are described herein.