Memory Block Assignment Using Reduced Blocks for Special Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in maximizing yield and performance by rejecting devices with fewer than the minimum required complete blocks due to fabrication flaws, leading to lower-grade classifications.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing reduced or partially functional blocks for special functions within memory systems, allowing devices with less than all planes fully functional to be utilized by classifying and assigning them to tasks associated with special functions, while reserving complete blocks for user data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If devices with fewer than minimum complete blocks are rejected, then system performance is maintained, but yield of qualified memory systems decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory blocks into different categories: complete blocks for user data and reduced blocks for special functions. This segmentation allows the system to utilize previously rejected devices by assigning their reduced blocks to non-critical special functions, thereby increasing yield while maintaining system performance through appropriate functional allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different quality levels of blocks to different functional requirements. Complete blocks with all planes functional are allocated to user data requiring high reliability, while reduced blocks with some non-functional planes are allocated to special functions with lower performance requirements, optimizing overall system utility.
2Productivity
If reduced blocks are used for special functions, then yield increases, but available capacity for user data decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a parallel functional structure where special functions are copied to reduced blocks rather than requiring all special functions to reside in complete blocks. This allows complete blocks to be dedicated entirely to user data, maximizing capacity while reduced blocks handle special functions, thereby resolving the capacity-yield tradeoff.
3Reliability
If all blocks are required to be fully functional, then system reliability is maintained, but manufacturing yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of fabrication flaws creating reduced blocks into a beneficial outcome by systematically assigning these reduced blocks to special functions. Instead of rejecting entire devices due to some non-functional planes, the system leverages these reduced blocks for appropriate functions, transforming manufacturing defects into acceptable product variations that increase yield.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for assigning blocks of memory systems are described. Some memory systems may be configured to initiate an operation to characterize a plurality of blocks of a memory system; identify a first quantity of complete blocks of the plurality of blocks and a second quantity of reduced blocks of the plurality of blocks based at least in part on initiating the operation; determine, for a block of the second quantity of reduced blocks, whether a quantity of planes available for use to store the information in the block satisfies a threshold; and assign the block as a special function block configured to store data associated with a function of the memory system based at least in part on determining that the quantity of planes available for use to store the information in the block of the second quantity of reduced blocks satisfies the threshold.