Memory Data Unit Toggling for Power-Loss-Protected Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional memory devices are limited in their ability to store and maintain special data, such as configuration data, in a manner that is immune to unexpected power loss events, often requiring additional hardware like OTP arrays that cannot handle a high volume of requests efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Implementing active and inactive data units that toggle back and forth during update operations to maintain a previous version of the data, ensuring data availability in case of power loss, without the need for additional hardware like OTP arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional memory devices store special data without additional hardware protection, then device complexity is reduced, but data reliability during power loss events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is segmented into multiple data units (first data unit and second data unit) that can be independently managed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain at least two versions of special data simultaneously, enabling rollback to a previous valid version if power loss occurs during an update operation, thus improving data reliability without adding external hardware protection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a previous version of the data in the first data unit before completing the update in the second data unit. This preliminary preservation of the old version ensures that if power is lost during the update process, the system can recover using the previously stored valid data, thereby enhancing reliability while keeping the device architecture simple.
2Reliability
If additional hardware like OTP arrays is used to protect special data, then data reliability improves, but device complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data protection function with the existing memory structure by implementing multiple data units within the same memory device. Instead of adding separate OTP arrays or external protection hardware, the system combines redundancy and rollback capabilities into the internal memory architecture, achieving data reliability improvement while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple data units serve multiple functions: they store current and previous versions of special data, enable rollback operations, and provide automatic protection against power loss corruption. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated protection hardware, maintaining simplicity while enhancing reliability.
3Loss of information
If update operations are performed on special data, then data currency improves, but risk of data loss during power loss events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining a protected copy of the previous data version in the first data unit during the update process. This cushioning mechanism ensures that if power loss occurs during the update of the second data unit, the system can revert to the previously valid data, thus protecting against data loss while still allowing updates to proceed for improving data currency.
Solution Approach 2:
The first data unit acts as an intermediary that holds the previous version of the data during update operations. This intermediary structure allows the system to perform updates on the second data unit while having a safe fallback option, thereby enabling data currency improvement without significantly increasing the risk of data loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices prevent data loss in memory devices. Systems may include a non-volatile memory device that includes a first data unit configured to store data for the non-volatile memory device and associated metadata, and a second data unit configured to store data for the non-volatile memory device and associated metadata, wherein the first data unit and second data unit are configured to alternate storing a most recent version of the data and associated metadata. The systems may also include control circuitry configured to read metadata from the first data unit and the second data unit, identify the first data unit as an inactive data unit based on contents of the first data unit and the second data unit, and perform one or more update operations such that the first data unit is updated and set as an active unit when the update operations are complete.