Memory Controller Operation Mode Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing memory systems face challenges in coordinating the operation modes between hosts and memory controllers, leading to unexpected delays due to background operations, which can result in mismatched states and unpreparedness for increased delay times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a memory system with a memory controller that manages operation modes by changing from a second operation mode to a first mode during a target time period, preventing background operations during the first mode and allowing them during the second mode, and controlling data writing within specific memory block pools to synchronize with host expectations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If background operations are executed during normal operation, then memory maintenance tasks (garbage collection, wear leveling) are performed, but the processing time for host commands increases and delay time becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller dynamically switches between first operation mode (where background operations are executable) and second operation mode (where background operations are not executable) based on host command processing requirements. This dynamic mode switching allows the system to adapt between prioritizing memory maintenance and prioritizing fast command response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically alternates between allowing and preventing background operations through mode switching. During second operation mode, background operations are prevented to ensure fast host command processing. During first operation mode, background operations are allowed to perform necessary memory maintenance tasks.
2Ease of operation
If the memory controller changes operation mode, then background operations can be controlled, but the host and memory controller may have mismatched states during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller sets a target time period in advance before actually switching to the first operation mode. This target time period allows the host to anticipate the mode change and prepare accordingly, ensuring that both host and memory controller have synchronized understanding of when the mode transition will occur, preventing state mismatch.
3Productivity
If data writing is performed during mode transition, then data processing continues, but state inconsistency between host and memory controller occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller establishes a target time period before the actual mode switch, during which it can accept data writing commands from the host and prepare the data for writing. This preliminary period ensures the host knows when mode changes will occur, maintaining state consistency while allowing data processing to continue without interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory set including a nonvolatile memory; and a memory controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory set. The memory controller may write data to a memory block in a target memory block pool in the nonvolatile memory set during a target time period existing between a time at which an operation mode for the nonvolatile memory set is changed from a second operation mode to a first operation mode and a time at which a command including information indicating that a host expects a requested operation to be performed in the first operation mode is received from the host, prevent execution of a background operation for the nonvolatile memory set, when the operation mode is the first operation mode, and control a background operation for the nonvolatile memory set to be executable, when the operation mode is the second operation mode.