Memory Block Refresh Scanning for Reliable Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices using nonvolatile memory face performance degradation due to inadequate refresh operations, leading to reliability issues and reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data storage device with a device controller that performs proactive refresh operations, including first and second refresh scans based on threshold counts, to identify and address memory block conditions, thereby enhancing reliability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refresh operations are performed frequently to prevent performance degradation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs refresh scan operations before actual refresh operations to identify memory blocks that need refreshing. This preliminary detection approach allows the system to perform refresh operations only when necessary, rather than continuously, thereby improving reliability while reducing unnecessary operational complexity and overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where refresh scan results are analyzed to determine whether refresh operations are needed. The controller uses the scan results to make informed decisions about subsequent refresh operations, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual memory block conditions rather than following a fixed refresh schedule.
2Measurement precision
If refresh scan operations are performed continuously to detect memory block conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs refresh scan operations selectively rather than continuously - only when triggered by specific conditions or time intervals. This partial action approach maintains adequate detection precision for identifying memory blocks needing refresh while avoiding the productivity loss that would result from continuous scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The refresh scan serves as a preliminary detection step that is performed only when necessary to gather information about memory block conditions. This allows the system to maintain productivity by avoiding continuous scanning while still achieving sufficient measurement precision to identify blocks requiring refresh operations.
3Productivity
If refresh operations are delayed until performance degradation occurs, then productivity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs refresh scan operations as a preliminary check to identify memory blocks that need refreshing before actual performance degradation occurs. By detecting conditions early through scanning and performing refresh operations proactively, the system maintains both high reliability and productivity, avoiding the trade-off between the two.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism monitors memory block conditions and triggers refresh operations based on actual detected needs rather than fixed schedules. This allows the system to maintain reliability by responding to actual conditions while preserving productivity by avoiding unnecessary refresh operations that would consume time and resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device comprising: a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory blocks; and a device controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory device to determine a memory block to perform a refresh operation and to control the memory block to perform the refresh operation to recover data of the memory block.