Memory Controller Writing Order Confirmation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In memory devices with built-in controllers, data writing order is often delayed or optimized, leading to inconsistencies where the writing order in nonvolatile memory differs from the intended order by the processor, making it difficult to ensure ordering and atomicity during data operations.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is implemented in the memory device where the controller performs data writing based on write requests received before a writing order confirmation request and sends a response to the host device, ensuring that data writing in nonvolatile memory cells occurs according to the specified order by the processor through a writing order confirmation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the controller performs writing order optimization or experiences delays, then writing speed and efficiency are improved, but the writing order in nonvolatile memory diverges from the processor's intended order, compromising ordering consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The controller sends writing order confirmation responses back to the processor after completing write operations, providing feedback on whether the writing order matches the processor's intent. This feedback mechanism allows the processor to detect ordering deviations and take corrective actions, resolving the contradiction between optimization speed and ordering consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor sends writing order confirmation requests before issuing subsequent write requests, performing a preliminary check to ensure previous writes are completed in the expected order. This preliminary action prevents ordering inconsistencies from propagating, allowing the controller to optimize writing while maintaining consistency.
2Productivity
If the controller delays write operations for optimization purposes, then overall writing efficiency is improved, but the timing and order of write completions become unpredictable, making it difficult to ensure atomicity
Solution Approach 1:
The controller provides feedback through writing order confirmation responses that indicate whether writes are completed in the expected order and timing. This feedback enables the processor to verify atomicity requirements are met even when the controller delays operations for optimization, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and timing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor performs preliminary verification by sending writing order confirmation requests and awaiting responses before proceeding with dependent operations. This preliminary check ensures that delayed write completions do not violate atomicity requirements, allowing the controller to optimize timing while maintaining precision guarantees.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a memory device includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller. The controller receives, from a host device, a write request for writing data in the nonvolatile memory, and then performs data writing based on the write request. When a writing order confirmation request, which is issued for confirmation of fact that data writing is performed based on one or more of the write requests that are already sent, is received from the host device, the controller performs data writing based on the write requests received before receiving the writing order confirmation request and then sends to the host device a response with respect to the writing order confirmation request.