Memory Controller Duplicate Command for Data Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory devices, such as Flash memory, face performance reduction due to excessive internal operations in response to host-side requests, and existing solutions introduce side effects or inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for data access control using a predetermined command, specifically a duplicate command, to duplicate data within a memory device, allowing the memory controller to perform operations without requiring data transfer between the host device and memory device, thereby optimizing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the memory device performs multiple separate read and write operations to duplicate data, then data can be copied from source to destination, but the number of host commands increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate read and write operations into a single unified duplicate command. The memory controller receives one host command that encapsulates both the source address and destination address, then internally coordinates the read-modify-write sequence as a single atomic operation, reducing command overhead and improving performance
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching data from the source address before the host needs it, and prepares the destination address mapping in advance. The controller also performs address translation and validation beforehand, so when the duplicate command executes, the actual data movement is optimized and requires minimal additional processing time
2Productivity
If the memory device uses traditional read-modify-write operations for data duplication, then data can be copied, but excessive internal operations reduce overall performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where the memory controller creates an internal representation or cache of the data at the source address, then uses this copy to update the destination address without requiring the host to participate in each intermediate step. This reduces the number of complex internal operations visible to the host while maintaining data integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller acts as an intermediary between the host and the memory array. It receives a single duplicate command from the host, then mediates the complex sequence of read operations, address translations, and write operations internally. This intermediary role simplifies the interface to the host while managing the complexity of internal operations within the controller itself
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing data access control of a memory device with aid of a predetermined command and associated apparatus are provided. The method may include: utilizing the memory controller to receive a first single command from a host device through a transmission interface circuit of the memory controller; and in response to the first single command conforming to a predetermined format of the predetermined command, utilizing the memory controller to perform a series of operations according to the first single command, wherein the first single command represents a first duplicate command, for duplicating from a first source logical address to a first destination logical address. The series of operations may include: reading first data at the first source logical address; and writing the first data at the first destination logical address.