Memory Controller Padding for Small-Write Program Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage devices face inefficiencies in program operations due to the inability to effectively manage small-sized write data, leading to suboptimal performance and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The storage device generates dummy data based on write data of less than a preset size, allowing for the creation of program data that meets the preset size requirement, which is then stored in memory cells, thereby optimizing storage operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If small-sized write data is stored directly in memory cells, then storage flexibility is improved, but program performance deteriorates due to inability to meet preset size requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidprogram performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic generates dummy data based on write data before the program operation is executed. This preliminary generation of supplementary data ensures that the complete program data meets the preset size requirement, thereby resolving the contradiction between storing small-sized data and achieving optimal program performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If dummy data is generated based on write data, then program performance is improved by meeting preset size requirements, but device complexity increases due to additional control logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram performanceVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic generates dummy data autonomously based on the write data itself, without requiring external intervention or additional hardware components. This self-service approach improves program performance while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If write data is padded with dummy data to meet preset size, then resource utilization is optimized, but loss of information increases due to additional data processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoiddata processing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy data is generated temporarily to meet the preset size requirement for the program operation, and its role is discarded after the data is successfully stored in the memory cells. This approach optimizes resource utilization during the storage process while minimizing information loss, as the dummy data serves only as a temporary filler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11688464B2Storage device and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

Provided herein may be a storage device and a method of operating the same. The storage device may include a memory device including a plurality of memory cells and a memory controller. The memory controller may be configured to control the memory device to generate dummy data based on write data, when a size of the write data is less than a preset size, and to store program data including the write data and the dummy data in selected memory cells among the plurality of memory cells.