Memory Controller Garbage Collection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in maintaining write performance and extending the lifespan of memory devices due to unnecessary garbage collection operations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed memory system and controller calculate specific data sizes based on write requests to determine when to execute garbage collection, thereby preventing unnecessary operations and optimizing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If garbage collection is continuously executed to secure free space in the memory device, then write performance is maintained, but unnecessary garbage collection operations reduce write performance and shorten memory device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of garbage collection execution by introducing a determination step that calculates the ratio of valid data to total data in the memory device. Garbage collection is executed only when this ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold, transforming the operation from continuous to conditional based on a specific parameter (valid data ratio), thereby eliminating unnecessary executions while maintaining write performance.
2Productivity
If garbage collection is executed frequently to maintain free space, then write operations can proceed smoothly, but the lifespan of the memory device is reduced due to excessive erase cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the valid data ratio in the memory device and using this information to control garbage collection execution. The determination step calculates the current valid data ratio and compares it with the threshold, creating a closed-loop control system that adjusts garbage collection frequency based on actual memory state, thereby extending device lifespan while maintaining operational smoothness.
3Quantity of substance
If garbage collection is performed on all data in the memory device, then free space is secured, but unnecessary operations are performed on data that will be updated soon, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting which data is likely to be updated soon based on write request analysis. The memory controller identifies data that is candidates for near-future updates and excludes them from garbage collection targets in advance, performing garbage collection only on data that is unlikely to be updated, thereby improving garbage collection efficiency while still securing sufficient free space.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system or memory controller may calculate a first data size, which is the sum of sizes of data requested to be written by write requests from outside the memory system after a first reference time point, calculate a second data size, which is the sum of sizes of data updated by the write requests among data already stored in the memory device from a second reference time point, and control execution of garbage collection on data stored in the memory device based on the first data size and the second data size.