Memory Controller Reference Page Rebuild After Power Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Memory systems face challenges in maintaining data reliability and efficiency during sudden power outages, as existing technologies do not effectively rebuild data structures after power restoration, leading to potential data loss and reduced system reliability.

Innovation Solution

A memory system and operating method that involves searching for reference page information stored in a first memory block upon power restoration, identifying and storing reference page information from a second memory block, and performing a rebuild operation based on this information, which includes programming dummy data and copying data from previous pages to ensure data integrity and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no rebuild operation is performed after sudden power off, then system operation is simple and fast, but data reliability deteriorates due to potential data loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores reference page information in a separate first memory block before power loss occurs. This preliminary action enables the system to quickly locate and rebuild only the necessary data pages after sudden power off, rather than performing complex full-system recovery operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the memory system into two functional blocks: a first memory block dedicated to storing reference page information and a second memory block for storing actual data. This segmentation allows the rebuild operation to focus only on specific data pages that need recovery, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If full data rebuild operation is performed after power restoration, then data reliability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidrebuild time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Reference page information is pre-stored in the first memory block during normal operation, so that after sudden power off, the system can immediately retrieve this information without performing time-consuming searches or analysis of the entire memory structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent copies only the specific data pages identified through reference page information from the second memory block, rather than copying or verifying all data. This selective copying approach significantly reduces rebuild time while maintaining data reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If reference page information is not stored separately, then memory structure is simple, but data recovery precision deteriorates after power loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata recovery precisionVSAvoidmemory structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dedicated first memory block that stores reference page information separately from the second memory block that stores actual data. This segmentation enables precise identification of which data pages need recovery without complicating the overall memory structure, as the reference block serves a single specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first memory block acts as an intermediary that stores metadata (reference page information) about the second memory block's data pages. This intermediary structure enables precise data recovery by providing a map of which pages contain valid data and which need rebuilding, without requiring complex analysis of the data block itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10296245B2Memory system for rebuilding data in memory blocks and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.05.21 SK HYNIX INC
  • US10296245B2 patent drawing
  • US10296245B2 patent drawing
  • US10296245B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of rebuild operation of a memory controller, the method includes: searching a reference page information stored in a first memory block when a power is restored after occurrence of a sudden power off; identifying a reference page of a second memory block and storing the reference page information of the reference page into the first memory block when the reference page information is determined not to be stored in the first memory block; and performing a rebuild operation to data stored in the second memory block based on the reference page information stored in the first memory block.