Memory Sub-System Cursor-to-Block-Family Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory sub-systems face increased bit error rates due to temporal voltage shift caused by slow charge loss in memory cells, which current technologies either fail to adequately address or do so inefficiently.
Innovation Solution
The memory sub-system selectively tracks temporal voltage shift for programmed blocks grouped by block families and applies appropriate voltage offsets to base read levels for read operations, associating multiple cursors with a single block family to reduce the number of block families that need to be created, tracked, and calibrated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple block families are created to track temporal voltage shift for different programmed blocks, then bit error rate is reduced through accurate voltage compensation, but device complexity and energy consumption increase due to managing more block families
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cursors (C0-C3) into a single block family (BF0) by implementing a cursor-to-block-family mapping mechanism. Instead of creating separate block families for each cursor, the system allows multiple cursors to share the same block family identifier, thereby reducing the total number of block families that need to be created, tracked, and calibrated while maintaining accurate temporal voltage shift compensation for each cursor's programmed blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The block family structure is made universal by enabling it to serve multiple cursors simultaneously. The block family manager implements a mapping data structure that allows any cursor to be associated with any block family, making the block family a multi-functional resource that can be shared across different cursors. This universality reduces the need for dedicated block families for each cursor while preserving the ability to track and compensate temporal voltage shift accurately.
2Measurement precision
If separate block families are created for each cursor to track temporal voltage shift, then voltage compensation accuracy is improved, but memory utilization decreases due to increased overhead from managing more block families
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the block family resources used by multiple cursors into a single shared block family (BF0). The block family manager maintains a mapping that associates cursors C0-C3 with the same block family identifier, eliminating the need for separate block family structures for each cursor. This merging reduces memory overhead and improves utilization while preserving voltage compensation accuracy through cursor-specific block tracking within the shared block family.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of block families is increased to accommodate multiple cursors, then cursor management flexibility is improved, but energy consumption increases due to more calibration and tracking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the block family management scope from multiple separate block families into a single shared block family. The block family manager reduces the number of calibration and tracking operations by managing one block family instead of multiple, thereby reducing energy consumption. Cursor management flexibility is maintained through the mapping mechanism that allows dynamic association of cursors with blocks within the shared block family structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An example memory sub-system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled to the memory device. The processing device is configured to perform operations comprising assigning a plurality of data streams to a block family comprising a plurality of blocks of a memory device; responsive to programming a first block associated with a first data stream of the plurality of data streams, associating the first block with the block family; and responsive to programming a second block associated with a second data stream of the plurality of data streams, associating the second block with the block family.