Memory Controller Prefetch Cache Sizing for Faster Read Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices face inefficiencies in managing cache memory for prefetching data, leading to suboptimal read operation performance.
Innovation Solution
A memory controller that generates read commands to prefetch data, controls cache memory size based on data stored and requested, and determines whether to perform prefetch operations based on cache memory availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cache memory size is increased to store more prefetched data, then the read operation performance is improved, but the memory resource consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cache memory size adjustment by monitoring the number of pending read requests and adjusting the prefetching cache size accordingly. The cache memory size is increased when multiple read requests are pending to improve read performance, and decreased when fewer requests are pending to free up memory resources. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the cache size adaptable to actual workload conditions rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of cache memory size based on the number of read requests. When the number of read requests exceeds a threshold, the cache memory size is increased to store more prefetched data. When the number of read requests is below the threshold, the cache memory size is decreased to release memory resources. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize read performance while managing memory resources efficiently.
2Speed
If prefetching operations are performed to read data in advance, then the read operation speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing prefetching operations in advance when read requests are anticipated. The controller monitors pending read requests and initiates prefetching operations to load data into the cache memory before actual read requests arrive. This reduces the waiting time for data retrieval and improves read operation speed. However, the prefetching is performed selectively based on the number of pending requests, not continuously, to manage energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring and adjustment of prefetching operations based on the number of read requests. The controller periodically checks the number of pending read requests and adjusts the prefetching cache size accordingly. This periodic action allows the system to perform prefetching only when necessary (when multiple requests are pending), improving read speed when needed while conserving energy when prefetching is not beneficial.
3Quantity of substance
If the cache memory size is dynamically adjusted based on read requests, then the memory resource utilization is optimized, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the number of pending read requests and using this information to adjust the cache memory size. The controller receives feedback about the read request workload and dynamically adjusts the prefetching cache size accordingly. When the number of read requests increases, the cache size is increased to accommodate more prefetched data. When the number of read requests decreases, the cache size is reduced to free up memory resources. This feedback mechanism optimizes memory resource utilization while keeping the control logic relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory controller capable of improving the performance of a read operation may include: a read command generator for generating read commands instructing a memory device to read, in advance, data to be read-requested from a host; a cache memory for storing data read from the memory device according to the read commands; a read operation controller for receiving, from the cache memory, data corresponding to a read request of the host in response to the read request, and outputting the received data to the host; and a cache memory size controller for controlling a size of the cache memory, based on a size of an area assigned for prefetching data in the data stored in the cache memory and a size of the data corresponding to the read request.