Memory Controller SPO Recovery Using Barrier Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face inefficiencies in data recovery operations due to unnecessary recoveries based on write operation progress and barrier information, especially after sudden power-offs, which can lead to increased overhead and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A memory controller that detects lost write sequence indexes and determines the necessity of data recovery operations based on identical barrier information stored in a nonvolatile memory, eliminating unnecessary recoveries and optimizing write operations without considering write order requests from external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data recovery operation is performed after sudden power-off, then data integrity is improved, but operational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing barrier information in nonvolatile memory before power-off occurs. This barrier information indicates whether a barrier request was received, allowing the system to determine in advance whether data recovery is necessary. When power is restored, the controller reads this pre-stored barrier information to quickly decide if recovery operations should be performed, avoiding unnecessary operations and reducing operational overhead while maintaining data integrity when needed.
2Reliability
If data recovery operation is performed after sudden power-off, then data integrity is improved, but write operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing barrier information in nonvolatile memory before power-off occurs. This barrier information indicates whether a barrier request was received, allowing the system to determine in advance whether data recovery is necessary. When power is restored, the controller reads this pre-stored barrier information to quickly decide if recovery operations should be performed, avoiding unnecessary operations and reducing operational overhead while maintaining data integrity when needed.
3Measurement precision
If barrier information is stored in nonvolatile memory, then determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting only the essential barrier information (whether a barrier request was received) and storing it in nonvolatile memory. This selective extraction of critical information allows for accurate determination of recovery necessity without storing excessive data. The barrier information serves as a concise indicator that enables precise decision-making while minimizing the complexity of the storage and processing system.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory controller includes a data detection circuit configured to detect, when power is supplied after a sudden power-off (SPO), a lost write sequence index “M” among the plural write sequence indexes, and detect first data corresponding to a write sequence index “M−1” and second data corresponding to a write sequence index “M+1”; a barrier decision circuit configured to determine, based on whether first barrier information of the first data and second barrier information of the second data are identical with each other, whether a barrier request for the first data has been received from a host; and a data recovery operation determination circuit configured to determine whether to perform a recovery operation on target data corresponding to the write sequence index “M+1” and thereafter based on whether the barrier request for the first data has been received.