Memory Control Circuit Timestamp-Based Group Retirement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile memory cells, such as those in flash memories, have limited endurance and can become worn out after a certain number of writing and erasing cycles, leading to data loss, necessitating the identification of memory units before they reach a failure stage to prevent data retention errors.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with a control circuit that records timestamps when memory units are programmed and uses identification rules to determine the state of memory groups, retiring them before they reach a failure stage by copying data to fresh groups when a predefined condition is met, thereby ensuring data safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If memory units are continuously used for writing and erasing cycles, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates as memory cells become worn out and data loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by recording timestamps when memory units are programmed and proactively identifying memory groups that are approaching failure based on these timestamps and identification rules. This allows the system to retire memory groups before they actually fail, preventing data loss while maximizing their useful lifespan. The control circuit continuously monitors timestamp data and identifies risky memory groups in advance, enabling preventive retirement rather than reactive response to failures.
2Reliability
If memory units are retired early to ensure data safety, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced available memory capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a closed-loop monitoring system where the control circuit records timestamps, identifies memory group states based on identification rules, and adjusts retirement decisions accordingly. The system continuously feedbacks on the health status of memory groups through timestamp analysis and dynamically retires only those groups that meet predefined risk conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that memory capacity is utilized to its fullest extent while maintaining data safety, retiring memory groups only when necessary rather than preemptively.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of memory unit state is implemented, then reliability is improved through early failure detection, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuitry and timestamp management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the memory system to autonomously monitor its own health status through timestamp recording and automatic identification of risky memory groups. The control circuit uses the previously recorded timestamp data to self-diagnose the state of memory groups without requiring external intervention or complex additional monitoring hardware. The system serves itself by leveraging existing timestamp information and simple identification rules to detect potential failures, reducing the need for elaborate external monitoring infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device and associated control method are provided. The memory device includes a memory array and a control circuit, which are electrically connected with each other. The memory array includes a plurality of memory groups. A first memory group among the plurality of memory groups includes at least one first memory unit. The control circuit executes the control method including following steps. Firstly, a first timestamp corresponding to a first time point is recorded when one of the at least one first memory unit is programmed. Then, state of the first memory group is identified based on the first timestamp and an identification rule, and the first memory group is retired when a condition being predefined in the identification rule is satisfied.