Memory Controller Block Grouping for Adaptive Initialization Sensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage devices face challenges in quickly adapting to diverse user needs during initialization, as they lack the ability to dynamically apply setting data based on the characteristics of different groups of data blocks.

Innovation Solution

A memory controller that classifies data blocks into distinct groups and determines specific setting data for each group based on environment information, enabling adaptive initialization operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single initialization process is used for all data blocks, then the initialization operation is simple, but it cannot adapt to diverse user needs and different characteristics of data blocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to diverse user needsVSAvoidinitialization process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides data blocks into multiple groups based on their characteristics (e.g., frequently accessed vs. infrequently accessed, different error rates, different wear levels). Each group receives customized initialization parameters and sensing conditions, allowing the system to adapt to diverse user needs while maintaining manageable complexity through structured classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different initialization settings and sensing conditions are applied to different groups of data blocks based on their specific characteristics. For example, data blocks with higher error rates receive different sensing conditions than those with lower error rates, optimizing performance for each local characteristic rather than using a uniform approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple initialization processes are created for different data block groups, then adaptability to diverse needs is improved, but the initialization operation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptive initialization capabilityVSAvoidinitialization operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory controller implements a universal initialization framework that can handle multiple data block groups with different characteristics through a single unified process. The system uses common classification criteria and standardized procedures to determine which initialization parameters to apply, making the multi-group initialization operation as simple as possible while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes initialization parameters (such as sensing conditions, voltage levels, timing parameters) based on the classified groups of data blocks. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to group characteristics, the system achieves adaptive initialization without creating entirely separate processes for each group, thus controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If environment information is used to determine setting data for each group, then initialization accuracy is improved, but the time required for initialization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing condition accuracyVSAvoidinitialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs classification of data blocks into groups before the initialization process based on pre-existing characteristics (such as wear levels, error rates, or access patterns). This preliminary action allows the memory controller to have the appropriate sensing conditions and initialization parameters ready in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time analysis during initialization while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4703862A1Memory controller, storage device including the same and nonvolatile memory device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4703862A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703862A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703862A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A memory controller, a storage device, a method for operating memory controller and a nonvolatile memory device are provided. The memory controller includes a processing circuit configured to control a memory device including a plurality of data blocks, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to classify a first portion of the plurality of data blocks into a first group; classify a second portion of the plurality of data blocks into a second group, the second portion being different from the first portion; determine, based on environment information, first setting data to be used for sensing data blocks included in the first group; determine, based on the environment information, second setting data to be used for sensing data blocks included in the second group; and store initialization information on the determined first setting data and second setting data in the memory device.