Memory Controller Garbage Collection Exclusion Logic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices face inefficiencies in garbage collection operations, particularly when handling large data erasures, leading to unnecessary operations and reduced device lifespan due to the selection of memory blocks with remaining valid data as victim blocks.
Innovation Solution
A controller is designed to analyze erase requests, generate invalid data information, and maintain a garbage collection reference table to exclude memory blocks with large data sizes or consecutive Logical Block Addresses from victim block selection, thereby optimizing garbage collection operations and preventing unnecessary data invalidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If garbage collection operation is performed on memory blocks with large data sizes, then storage space can be reclaimed, but device lifespan is reduced due to unnecessary operations
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of erase requests before executing garbage collection operations. By checking whether all data in a memory block will be invalidated (using thresholds for invalid data pages or consecutive LBA ranges), the controller prevents unnecessary garbage collection operations on blocks that will soon be fully erased, thus extending device lifespan while maintaining storage reclamation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring erase request patterns and updating its decision-making for garbage collection. When erase requests indicate that a memory block will be completely invalidated soon (based on invalid page count thresholds or consecutive LBA detection), the controller adjusts its garbage collection strategy to exclude such blocks, creating a feedback loop that optimizes both productivity and reliability
2Productivity
If garbage collection operation is performed frequently, then storage space is reclaimed efficiently, but wear acceleration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of erase requests to determine whether garbage collection operations are necessary. By checking if memory blocks will be completely invalidated soon (using thresholds for invalid data pages or consecutive LBA ranges), the controller avoids initiating garbage collection operations that would accelerate wear without providing storage reclamation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes operational parameters by introducing threshold-based decision criteria (number of invalid pages, consecutive LBA ranges) to control garbage collection frequency. This parameter-based control mechanism adjusts the aggressiveness of garbage collection operations to balance storage reclamation efficiency with wear reduction, preventing excessive operations that would harm device lifespan
3Quantity of substance
If all memory blocks are selected for garbage collection, then storage space is maximized, but unnecessary operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller extracts and identifies memory blocks that should be excluded from garbage collection operations. By detecting patterns in erase requests (such as consecutive LBA ranges or thresholds of invalid pages), the controller separates blocks that will be fully invalidated soon from those that need immediate garbage collection, preventing unnecessary operations and reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of erase request patterns before executing garbage collection. By anticipating which blocks will be completely erased soon based on invalid page counts or consecutive LBA detection, the controller proactively excludes these blocks from current garbage collection operations, optimizing the balance between storage space availability and operation efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A controller controls an operation of a semiconductor memory device. The controller includes a request analyzer, a storage, and a garbage collection controller. The request analyzer generates invalid data information, based on an erase request received from a host. The storage stores a garbage collection reference table representing memory blocks excluded from selection as a victim block on which a garbage collection operation is to be performed, based on the invalid data information. The garbage collection controller controls the garbage collection operation on the semiconductor memory device, based on exclusion block information generated according to the garbage collection reference table.