Memory Controller Startup Data Recovery via Test Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid State Drives (SSDs) often fail to initialize during testing due to internal errors in the memory controller, leading to corrupted startup data, which complicates debugging and increases production costs and time, while existing solutions require cumbersome manual mounting of external storage devices and occupy significant board space.
Innovation Solution
A memory apparatus with a test interface that receives first startup data from an external storage device, allowing the memory controller to perform initialization using this data when second startup data is corrupted, and a test fixture with a startup data storage device and test connector for contact connection with the memory apparatus, enabling flexible positioning and shared use across multiple SSDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If startup data is stored internally in the memory controller, then initialization can be performed independently, but the risk of data corruption and initialization failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating an error detection and correction mechanism that checks startup data integrity before execution. The memory controller verifies the checksum of stored startup data and automatically retrieves backup data from external storage if corruption is detected, preventing initialization failures before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an external storage device as a backup source for startup data. When internal startup data is corrupted, the memory controller automatically retrieves valid startup data from the external storage device, serving as a mediator to resolve the initialization problem without requiring manual intervention.
2Reliability
If an external storage device is mounted for startup data, then backup startup data can be provided, but manual mounting increases operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the memory controller to automatically detect and retrieve startup data from external storage devices without requiring manual mounting or configuration. The system autonomously manages the startup data acquisition process, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the memory controller to support multiple startup data sources (internal storage and external storage devices). The system can automatically switch between different data sources based on availability and integrity, making the initialization process more robust and easier to operate across different scenarios.
3Productivity
If multiple SSDs each have internal startup data storage, then initialization is independent, but overall device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating startup data storage resources. Instead of each SSD maintaining separate internal startup data, multiple SSDs can share a common external storage device for startup data. The memory controller automatically retrieves startup data from the shared external storage, reducing total storage requirements while maintaining initialization independence through automatic data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by allowing multiple SSDs to access identical startup data from a single external storage device. Rather than duplicating startup data across multiple internal storage locations, the system efficiently copies the necessary data from the shared external source during initialization, reducing overall data redundancy while maintaining system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure provide a memory apparatus, a test fixture, and a test system. The memory apparatus includes a main circuit board and a memory controller. The main circuit board includes a test interface configured to receive first startup data. The memory controller is disposed on the main circuit board and connected to the test interface, and second startup data is stored in the memory controller. The memory controller is configured to acquire the second startup data, in response to determining that acquiring the second startup data fails, acquire the first startup data through the test interface, and perform an initialization operation on the memory apparatus according to the first startup data.