Memory Controller Logic for Host Request Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory systems experience delays and timeouts in host requests during background memory management operations, particularly for time-sensitive requests like read and status read requests, which can impact host system performance.

Innovation Solution

A controller logic that decodes host requests and executes memory commands using physical addresses, allowing it to suspend background memory management operations for pre-specified time-critical requests, ensuring quick response and resuming the operation after completing the host request, while continuing other memory management operations without interruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If background memory management operations are executed continuously without interruption, then memory management functions are completed efficiently, but host requests of specified types experience delays and timeouts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory management operation completion rateVSAvoidhost request response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically adjusts the execution state of background memory management operations based on incoming host requests. When a host request of a specified type is detected, the controller suspends the background operation temporarily and resumes it after handling the host request, creating a flexible and adaptive operation schedule that prioritizes time-critical host requests while maintaining background task progress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller detects and identifies host requests of specified types during the execution of background memory management operations, before these requests would otherwise experience timeouts. By proactively suspending background operations upon detecting such requests and ensuring they are handled with appropriate priority, the controller prevents timeout conditions before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the controller prioritizes time-critical host requests during background operations, then host system responsiveness is improved, but memory management operation duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehost request response speedVSAvoidmemory management operation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements a periodic check mechanism during background memory management operations to detect incoming host requests of specified types. By periodically suspending and resuming background operations based on host request priorities, the controller ensures time-critical requests are handled promptly while background tasks complete eventually, creating a rhythmic execution pattern that balances both requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10521375B2Controller for a memory system

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO LTD

AI summary

A controller for a memory system is disclosed. The controller includes logic configured to execute host requests and memory management operations. The memory management operations have a plurality of memory command cycles. The logic is configured to suspend the memory management operation upon completion of a memory command cycle in the plurality of memory command cycles before a final stage when a host read request is received during execution of the memory management operation, and configured to continue the memory management operation when a host request other than a read request is received during execution of the memory management operation.