Memory Controller Auxiliary Power Cell Charge Balancing

Solution Overview

Problem

Storage devices face reliability issues due to the limited lifespan of auxiliary power cells used for backup power, as repeated charging and discharging lead to cell deterioration, potentially resulting in incomplete data storage operations during power failures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a memory controller and power management circuit that manage auxiliary power cells by distributing charge counts evenly, selecting cells for charging based on their charge counts to extend their lifespan and ensure data reliability, and including reserve cells to maintain data integrity during power outages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary power cells are repeatedly charged and discharged to maintain data storage reliability, then data reliability is improved, but the lifespan of auxiliary power cells deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidlifespan of auxiliary power cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary power device is divided into multiple auxiliary power cells (first, second, third cells) instead of using a single cell. This segmentation allows the system to distribute charging operations across multiple cells, reducing the wear on each individual cell while maintaining sufficient backup power capacity for data protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller implements periodic charging operations where only certain auxiliary power cells are charged at specific time intervals. The controller selectively charges the first auxiliary power cell during first periodic time intervals and the second auxiliary power cell during second periodic time intervals, allowing cells to alternate between charging and resting states, thereby extending their overall lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If all auxiliary power cells are charged continuously to ensure sufficient backup power, then power availability is improved, but the charge count differences between cells increase leading to uneven wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidcharge count uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements periodic charging operations where only certain auxiliary power cells are charged at specific time intervals. The controller selectively charges the first auxiliary power cell during first periodic time intervals and the second auxiliary power cell during second periodic time intervals, allowing cells to alternate between charging and resting states, thereby extending their overall lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors the charge counts of all auxiliary power cells and uses this feedback information to make intelligent charging decisions. Based on the charge count information, the controller determines which cells need charging and which should rest, actively balancing the charge distribution across cells to prevent uneven wear while ensuring adequate backup power capacity is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11004529B2Device including memory controller, memory device, and power management circuit, and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 MIMIRIP LLC

AI summary

The present technology includes a memory controller that controls auxiliary power cells of which the charge counts is small to be preferentially charged, based on charge count information of each of a plurality of auxiliary power cells included in an auxiliary power device that supplies power to a memory device and a memory controller.