Memory Controller Parity Segmentation for Data Storage Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices face challenges in maintaining data integrity due to the unreliability of certain memory devices, which often require error-correction codes (ECCs) to ensure data reliability, but this comes at the expense of additional storage space for ECC parity bits.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a data storage device with a memory controller that generates and applies multiple parities across different groups of pages, using error correction circuitry to correct errors, thereby enhancing data reliability without the need for extensive additional storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error-correction codes (ECCs) are used to maintain data integrity, then data reliability is improved, but additional storage space is required for ECC parity bits
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is divided into multiple groups of pages (first group, second group, etc.), with each group having its own parity bits. This segmentation allows error correction to be applied locally to each group rather than requiring global parity bits for the entire memory device, reducing the overall storage space needed for error correction while maintaining data reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parity bits are generated and stored for different groups of pages based on their specific error characteristics. The parity controller generates first parity for the first group of pages and second parity for the second group of pages, allowing each group to have tailored error protection that optimizes storage efficiency while ensuring data integrity for each local region.
2Reliability
If multiple parities are generated and stored for different groups of pages, then error correction capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parity generation and error correction processes are segmented into distinct functional units within the controller. The parity controller is divided into multiple parity generation units, each responsible for generating parity for a specific group of pages. This segmentation makes the complex error correction system more manageable and modular, reducing the perceived complexity while improving error correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The parity controller is designed to perform multiple functions: generating first parity for the first group of pages, generating second parity for the second group of pages, and managing the storage and application of these parities. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate controllers into a single unified component, maintaining reliability while controlling device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device including a memory device and a memory controller is disclosed. The memory controller including a super block includes a parity controller in communication with a memory device including a plurality of pages and configured to generate a first parity using data to be written to a first group of pages among the plurality of pages, and generate a second parity using data to be written to a second group of pages among the plurality of pages, a write operation controller configured to control the memory device to store the first parity and the second parity, and an error correction circuitry coupled to apply the first parity and the second parity to correct at least one of the plurality of pages arranged to belong to the first group of pages and the second group of pages.