Memory Access Unit Segmentation for Write Disturb Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory sub-systems face challenges in managing characteristics such as endurance limitations, proximity disturb effects, and self-disturb effects due to large page-sized access units, which lead to detrimental effects like write amplification and error correction requirements, especially in emerging memory technologies like 3-DXP systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing access units smaller than the page size, such as 64 bytes or 128 bytes, which are comparable to cache line sizes, to reduce write disturb effects and error correction needs, while using management segments of page size for optimized wear-leveling, thereby improving write amplification and minimizing disturb effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If page-sized access units are used for memory operations, then data integrity and endurance management can be maintained, but write amplification increases and disturb effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory management into two distinct segments: access units (smaller than page size) for data operations and management segments (page size) for wear-leveling. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, reducing write amplification during data operations while maintaining reliability through dedicated management operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality characteristics are applied to different parts of the memory system. Access units use smaller granularity for reduced disturb effects, while management segments use page size for effective wear-leveling. This local differentiation optimizes both reliability and reduces harmful write amplification effects.
2Device complexity
If page-sized access units are used, then management operations can be simplified, but disturb effects and error correction requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting operations into access units and management segments, the system simplifies management operations at the page level while minimizing disturb effects during access unit operations. The separation ensures that management operations do not unnecessarily expand to affect larger portions of memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial actions for access units (smaller than page size) to perform operations only on necessary portions of data, reducing disturb effects. Management segments use full page size actions when needed for wear-leveling, optimizing the balance between simplicity and effectiveness.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If smaller access units are used, then write amplification is reduced, but management operation effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-segment approach segments management operations into dedicated management segments that operate at page size, ensuring effectiveness for wear-leveling. Access units operate at smaller sizes for reduced write amplification, while the management segment handles bulk operations efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple access units can be combined into a single management segment for wear-leveling operations. This merging allows the system to achieve the benefits of small access units for data operations while maintaining the effectiveness of larger management operations for wear-leveling and garbage collection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first memory component having a particular access size associated with performance of memory operations, a second memory component to store a logical to physical data structure whose entries map management segments to respective physical locations in the memory component, wherein each management segment corresponds to an aggregated plurality of logical access units having the particular access size, and a processing device, operably coupled to the memory component. The processing device can perform memory management operations on a per management segment basis by: for each respective management segment, tracking access requests to constituent access units corresponding to the respective management segment, and determining whether to perform a particular memory management operation on the respective management segment based on the tracking.