Memory Controller Dump Data Preservation via Copying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In memory systems, especially those using nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices, there is a challenge in reducing data loss and supporting effective debugging due to limited dump block capacity, which leads to the loss of critical dump data when errors occur repeatedly.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a controller that generates and stores dump data in a manner that maintains the initial dump data in a target dump block while copying new dump data into other blocks, ensuring that the first dump unit is preserved even when dump blocks become full, thereby preventing data loss and facilitating debugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dump data is continuously overwritten in limited dump blocks, then storage capacity is utilized, but initial dump data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating a duplicate of the initial dump data and storing it in a different location (spare dump block or main memory device) before overwriting the original dump block. This ensures that even if the original dump data is overwritten due to limited block capacity, a copy remains preserved for debugging purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively copying the initial dump data to a safe location before the dump block becomes full and overwriting occurs. This preventive measure ensures that critical initial error state information is preserved in advance, rather than attempting to recover it after loss.
2Reliability
If multiple dump blocks are used to store dump data, then data retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the dump storage function into multiple independent dump blocks within the memory device, with designated spare blocks for preserving initial dump data. This segmentation allows the system to distribute dump data across multiple locations, improving reliability while keeping each individual block's management relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the spare dump block as an intermediary storage location that temporarily holds copies of initial dump data. This intermediary structure simplifies the management complexity by providing a dedicated buffer zone that automatically preserves critical data without requiring complex coordination between multiple active dump blocks.
3Loss of information
If dump block capacity is increased to prevent data loss, then data retention improves, but access speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the speed-capacity contradiction by adding a spatial dimension to the storage architecture. Instead of increasing the size of a single dump block (which would slow access), the system uses multiple smaller dump blocks arranged in parallel, with spare blocks positioned for quick access. This multi-dimensional arrangement preserves large total capacity while maintaining fast access to individual blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system may include: a memory device including a plurality of dump blocks, and a controller suitable for: generating dump data indicating a state thereof whenever detecting an error, and storing the dump data in a target dump block, wherein the controller may store the dump data by: selecting the target dump block from the plurality of dump blocks, storing first dump data which is generated at a time of initial error detection in a first dump block that is selected as the target dump block, and copying, when newly selecting a second dump block as the target dump block, the first dump data into the second dump block.