Memory Controller Recovery Code Nonvolatile Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional memory controllers face challenges in ensuring data integrity and reliability during mode transitions, particularly when sudden power losses occur, as recovery codes stored in volatile memory can become corrupted, leading to incomplete recovery operations.

Innovation Solution

A memory controller that includes a mode converter, a recovery code storage with nonvolatile memory for storing recovery codes, and a code executer to execute recovery codes when the device transitions from sleep to normal mode, ensuring data integrity by using nonvolatile memory to maintain the recovery code's integrity and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If recovery codes are stored in volatile memory to enable fast access during normal operation, then speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the codes can be corrupted during power losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery code access speedVSAvoidrecovery code integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by copying the recovery code from nonvolatile memory to volatile memory in advance, before it is needed. This allows the recovery code to be readily available in fast volatile memory during normal operation, while the original copy remains safely stored in nonvolatile memory as a backup, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the memory controller transitions to sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the risk of data corruption increases due to sudden power losses during mode transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata integrity during mode transition

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and copying the recovery code to volatile memory before the mode transition occurs. This advance preparation ensures that if a sudden power loss happens during the transition from sleep mode to normal mode, the recovery code is already available in volatile memory, enabling immediate recovery operations and preventing data corruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by maintaining a backup copy of the recovery code in nonvolatile memory that serves as a protective measure against power loss during mode transitions. This backup acts as a cushion or safety net, ensuring that even if volatile memory is corrupted, the recovery code remains intact and can be used for system recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11307783B2Memory controller performing recovery operation using recovery code and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A memory controller controls a data storage device including a nonvolatile memory in which a recovery code is stored. The memory controller includes: a mode converter for determining an operation mode of the data storage device as a normal mode or a sleep mode, according to power sensing information representing a power consumption of the data storage device, a recovery code storage including a nonvolatile memory, in which a recovery code for a recovery operation is stored, and a code executer for performing the recovery operation by executing the recovery code. The mode converter stores a recovery code address indicating a position of the nonvolatile memory at which the recovery code is stored.