Memory Controller Block Management for Data Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The excessive lifespan differences between physical blocks in rewritable non-volatile memory modules lead to data instability in memory storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A block management method that maintains an error information table to record error-correctable physical blocks and their corresponding error bit numbers, allowing the memory controller to select blocks for writing data based on these criteria, thereby equalizing block lifespan and enhancing data stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical blocks are grouped into data area, spare area and replacement area based on normal and damaged status, then the memory storage device can operate normally with data stability, but excessive lifespan differences between physical blocks will arise leading to data instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for block selection from simple normal/damaged status to a comprehensive evaluation including error bit numbers. By maintaining an error information table that records error bit numbers for each physical block and using this data to guide block selection, the system achieves more uniform block lifespan while maintaining data stability. This parameter change allows the memory controller to avoid selecting blocks with excessive error bits, thereby preventing premature block failure and extending overall system lifespan uniformity.
2Device complexity
If all normal physical blocks are treated equally for data writing, then the management process is simple, but blocks with different error bit numbers will have different actual lifespans causing data instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-evaluating and recording the error bit numbers of all physical blocks before data writing operations. The error information table is maintained in advance, containing error bit number data for each physical block. When selecting blocks for data writing, the memory controller references this pre-prepared information to make informed decisions, thereby preventing data instability before it occurs rather than reacting to it later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring and recording error bit numbers in the error information table. The system uses this feedback information to adjust block selection decisions, avoiding blocks that have developed excessive error bits. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that blocks with deteriorating quality are not selected for new data, maintaining data stability while providing a relatively simple management approach through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A block management method for managing physical blocks of a rewritable non-volatile memory module, and a memory controller and a memory storage device using the same are provided. The method includes maintaining an error information table for recording one or more error correctable physical blocks among the physical blocks and an error bit number corresponding to the one or more error correctable physical blocks. The method further includes selecting a physical block for writing data according to the one or more error correctable physical blocks and the error bit number thereof recorded in the error information table. Accordingly, the data stability of the memory storage device can be improved.