Memory Device Detecting Last Erased Page via Binary Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in reliably determining the status of memory devices, particularly when suddenly powered off, leading to unreliable information storage and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A memory system that includes a memory device capable of detecting the last erased page within a memory block and providing its address to the memory controller, using a binary search method to efficiently identify the last erased page upon system power-on, thereby ensuring accurate status determination and improving operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the memory system uses traditional methods to determine memory device status, then the status determination is simple, but the reliability is poor when suddenly powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device performs preliminary detection of the last erased page address and stores it in a register before normal operation. When the system powers on, this pre-stored address is immediately available, eliminating the need for complex runtime detection and ensuring reliable status determination even after sudden power-offs.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated register acts as an intermediary between the memory block status and the memory controller. This register stores the last erased page address and provides it to the controller, simplifying the overall detection mechanism while maintaining high reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the memory system performs comprehensive page status checking, then the accuracy is high, but the operating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical information (last erased page address) from the entire memory block and stores it separately. This allows the system to determine status with high accuracy by checking only this specific address rather than examining all pages, significantly reducing the time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The last erased page address is detected and stored in advance during normal operation. When status determination is needed, this pre-computed information is immediately available, eliminating the need for time-consuming comprehensive checks while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a memory controller transferring a search command, and a memory device searching a plurality of pages a memory device operatively coupled to a memory controller, the memory device being suitable for detecting a last erased page among a plurality of pages included in a memory block of the memory device, and for providing an address of the last erased page to the memory controller, and the memory controller is configured to control the memory device according to the address of the last erased page.