Memory Controller Unified System Region for Storage Space Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices face challenges in managing system data efficiently, leading to increased storage space occupation and reduced efficiency due to the need to reserve space for various types of system data, which can hinder the allocation of space for user data.
Innovation Solution
A data storage device with a memory controller that allocates a unified system region for all types of system data without distinguishing between them, using a mapping table to manage storage and a system data manager to optimize space utilization by aggregating valid data for user data allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If system data is stored by allocating separate regions for different types of system data, then data integrity and reliability are improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates due to fragmented allocation and inability to reuse freed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all system data types into a single unified system region, eliminating the need for separate allocations for different system data types. This consolidation allows the memory controller to treat all system data uniformly and enables efficient space reuse when system data is updated or deleted, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining data integrity and improving storage space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified system region serves multiple functions by accommodating all types of system data (error logs, allocation information, wear leveling data, etc.) in a single location. This universal approach allows the same storage space to be dynamically allocated and reallocated based on current needs, improving space efficiency while maintaining the ability to store diverse system data types.
2Measurement precision
If separate regions are allocated for different types of system data, then data management precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple allocation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data management functions into a single unified system region, eliminating the need for separate allocation mechanisms for different system data types. The memory controller uses a single allocation strategy for the entire system region, simplifying the device complexity while maintaining precise control over system data through virtual address mapping and context data management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mapping table as an intermediary structure that connects virtual addresses to physical addresses within the unified system region. This mapping mechanism allows the memory controller to precisely manage different types of system data within the unified region without requiring separate physical allocations, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining management precision.
3Reliability
If sufficient system data regions are reserved, then reliability is improved, but user data storage capacity deteriorates due to occupied space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic space management in the unified system region, allowing the memory controller to allocate and reallocate space based on current system needs. When system data is updated or deleted, the freed space is dynamically reused for new system data or returned to the user data region, optimizing the balance between reliability and storage capacity without requiring fixed reservations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to discard old system data and recover its storage space for reuse. When system data is updated, the memory controller identifies and discards the old data, then recovers the occupied space by reallocating it to new system data or making it available for user data, thereby maintaining reliability while maximizing storage capacity utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device may include a memory device and a memory controller. The memory controller may allocate a system region. The memory controller may control the memory device to store system data in the system region without distinguishing between the plurality of memory regions in the system region based on a type of the system data. Therefore, the memory controller may randomly store the system data in the system region without allocating system region based on the type of system data.