Memory Block Density Conversion to Preserve Storage Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems experience reduced storage capacity as higher density blocks degrade and are retired, leading to a loss of overall capacity, particularly when higher density blocks are retired faster than lower density blocks.
Innovation Solution
The memory system converts lower density blocks into higher density blocks to preserve storage capacity, using a conversion factor to determine the remaining access operations permitted for the converted blocks to ensure timely retirement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If higher density blocks are used to increase storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but reliability deteriorates because higher density blocks degrade faster and are retired sooner
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the density parameter of memory blocks dynamically. When a high-density block is retired, the system converts a low-density block to a high-density block, effectively changing its capacity parameter to maintain overall storage capacity while managing reliability through controlled conversion based on block health metrics
Solution Approach 2:
The memory system dynamically adjusts block density configurations based on real-time health monitoring. The controller continuously monitors block health and converts blocks between density levels as needed, transforming a static block configuration into a dynamic adaptive system that balances capacity and reliability
2Quantity of substance
If lower density blocks are converted to higher density blocks to replace retired blocks, then storage capacity is maintained, but device complexity increases due to conversion management
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system performs self-managed block conversion without external intervention. The controller automatically monitors block health, identifies suitable blocks for conversion, executes the conversion process, and updates mappings, enabling the system to maintain capacity autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of block conversion. It coordinates between the host system and memory blocks, handling the conversion process, tracking converted blocks, and ensuring proper data mapping while shielding the user from underlying complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for block conversion to preserve memory capacity are described. A device may perform a quantity of one or more access operations on a block that includes a set of memory cells configured as single-level cells each of which is configured for storing multiple bits. After performing the quantity of one or more access operations on the block the device may convert the set of memory cells from single-level cells into multiple-level cells configured for storing multiple bits. The device may then determine a remaining quantity of access operations permitted to be performed on the block and operate the bloc based on the remaining quantity of access operations.