Memory Controller with Universal Management Format
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Solution Overview
Problem
The versatility of memory controllers is compromised due to the need for separate controllers for each type of flash memory, leading to inefficiencies in management and access.
Innovation Solution
A memory controller design that includes a ROM for first firmware, a RAM for second firmware, and a buffer for data transfer, allowing it to operate across multiple types of flash memories by allocating physical blocks for management information and user data in a standardized format, enabling sequential page reading and improved access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate memory controller is created for each type of flash memory, then the flash memory can be controlled with dedicated optimization, but the versatility of the memory controller deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller is designed with a universal management information format that can accommodate multiple types of flash memories. The controller reads management information from any physical block in the search range and interprets it according to a standardized format, enabling a single controller to manage different flash memory types without requiring type-specific controllers.
2Productivity
If management information is stored in a type-specific format for each flash memory, then the flash memory can be accessed with optimized protocols, but the memory controller complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a homogeneous management information format that is consistently applied across all flash memory types. The management information includes standardized fields such as search range start address, search range end address, and page interval, allowing the controller to handle different flash memory types through a unified access protocol rather than maintaining multiple type-specific protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the memory controller uses a standardized management information format across all flash memory types, then the versatility of the controller is improved, but the precision of managing type-specific characteristics may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized management information format includes adjustable parameters such as search range start address, search range end address, and page interval that can be configured according to the specific characteristics of each flash memory type. This allows the controller to maintain versatility while adapting to type-specific requirements by modifying these parameters rather than requiring different controller architectures.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory controller controls access to a flash memory including a plurality of physical blocks, each of which includes a plurality of pages, based on a command assigned from a host system. The memory controller allocates a physical block within the flash memory in a prescribed search range as a prescribed physical block where management information is written, writes the management information necessary for accessing the flash memory to the prescribed physical block, and operates to search for the prescribed physical block when second firmware is read from the flash memory. The writing information, including the management information, is written to the prescribed physical block in a same format regardless of a type of flash memory. Information written to pages is sequentially read at prescribed page intervals in the prescribed search range in searching for the prescribed physical block.