Memory Controller Power Mode Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unified memory architectures face challenges in efficiently managing power modes to minimize power consumption while ensuring data integrity and quick recovery from unordinary power-offs in memory systems.
Innovation Solution
A memory system comprising a non-volatile NAND-type flash memory, a volatile SRAM, and a controller that dynamically determines and manages saving destinations for temporary data based on importance, high-speed resume level, and power-off handling level, allowing data to be saved in either the SRAM or NAND memory, or both, to optimize power mode transitions and data recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is saved only in volatile SRAM to enable quick recovery, then resume speed is improved, but data integrity is lost during unordinary power-offs
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system segments data into two categories: frequently accessed data stored in volatile SRAM for quick access, and important data stored in non-volatile NAND flash memory for persistence. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast resume speeds and data integrity by appropriately placing different types of data in different storage media.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary actions by detecting power mode transitions before they occur and proactively transferring data from volatile SRAM to non-volatile NAND flash memory in advance. This preliminary data preservation ensures that critical data is saved before power is lost, enabling reliable recovery without sacrificing resume performance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If data is transferred to non-volatile NAND memory for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies partial action by selectively transferring only critical data to non-volatile NAND flash memory while leaving non-critical data in volatile SRAM. This selective approach reduces the amount of data that needs to be transferred during power mode changes, thereby minimizing recovery time while still achieving power savings for the most important data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts data placement between volatile and non-volatile storage based on real-time power mode transitions and data access patterns. The controller continuously monitors system state and adapts data transfer decisions, optimizing the balance between power consumption and recovery time according to actual operating conditions.
3Speed
If volatile memory is used for quick access, then access speed is improved, but data loss occurs during unordinary power-offs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary between volatile SRAM and non-volatile NAND flash memory, managing data transfers and monitoring power mode transitions. It detects when power mode changes are occurring and facilitates timely data preservation from volatile to non-volatile storage, preventing data loss while maintaining the performance benefits of volatile memory during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data preservation by detecting power mode transitions in advance and transferring critical data from volatile to non-volatile storage before power is lost. This proactive approach ensures data integrity without requiring the system to constantly maintain copies of all data in both storage media.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a memory system is connectable to a host including a first memory. The memory system includes a non-volatile second memory, a volatile third memory, and a controller. The controller uses the third memory as a work memory, and executes data transfer between the host and the second memory. The controller receives a first command to change a power mode from the host. The controller transfers first data to the first memory and transfers second data to the second memory in response to the receipt of the first command. The controller transmits a response of completion of data transfer. The first data and the second data are included in third data. The third data is data in the third memory.