Memory System Firmware Upgrade Lifespan Preservation

Solution Overview

Problem

Memory systems with nonvolatile devices face challenges in preserving lifespan information during firmware upgrades, leading to potential errors and reduced reliability due to reset operations that obscure the cause of errors after upgrades.

Innovation Solution

A memory system design that includes a nonvolatile memory device with a system region for storing lifespan information and an OTP region, which is not reset during firmware upgrades, allowing for backup and validation of this information to prevent loss and determine error causes effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If firmware is upgraded using conventional memory systems, then the firmware version is updated, but the lifespan information is reset causing loss of historical data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware upgrade capabilityVSAvoidlifespan information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device is divided into two distinct regions: a system region for storing lifespan information and an OTP (One-Time Programmable) region for preserving critical data during firmware upgrades. This segmentation allows the lifespan information to be protected from reset operations while enabling firmware updates in the system region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The OTP region is pre-configured with lifespan information before firmware upgrades occur. This preliminary action ensures that the lifespan data is already in place and protected before the upgrade process begins, preventing any potential loss during the firmware update operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If firmware is upgraded in conventional memory systems, then new functionality is achieved, but error diagnosis becomes difficult due to lost lifespan information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware upgrade capabilityVSAvoiderror cause determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the lifespan information storage into a dedicated OTP region distinct from the system region, the patent enables independent preservation of diagnostic data. This segmentation ensures that lifespan information remains intact and accessible for error analysis even after firmware upgrades modify the system region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The preserved lifespan information in the OTP region provides continuous feedback about the memory device's operational history and wear state. This feedback mechanism enables effective error diagnosis and cause determination after firmware upgrades by maintaining access to historical performance data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system region is used to store lifespan information, then data can be updated, but the information is reset during firmware upgrades reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata update capabilityVSAvoidlifespan information preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device is divided into two distinct regions: a system region for storing lifespan information and an OTP (One-Time Programmable) region for preserving critical data during firmware upgrades. This segmentation allows the lifespan information to be protected from reset operations while enabling firmware updates in the system region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The OTP region is pre-configured with lifespan information before firmware upgrades occur. This preliminary action ensures that the lifespan data is already in place and protected before the upgrade process begins, preventing any potential loss during the firmware update operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11036493B2Memory system and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A memory system may include: a nonvolatile memory device including a system region for storing lifespan information of a plurality of memory blocks and an one-Time Programmable (OTP) region which is not reset when firmware is upgraded; a function component configured to store the firmware; an interface configured to receive new firmware for upgrade; a validation control component configured to perform a validation operation of the nonvolatile memory device; and an upgrade component configured to upgrade the firmware when the validation operation of the nonvolatile memory device is performed, wherein the validation control component selects at least one backup block by referring to the OTP region, backs up the lifespan information to the at least one backup block, and then controls the upgrade component to upgrade the firmware.