Memory System Fixed Variable Pointers Reduce Erase Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing data backup technologies for NAND flash memory systems are inadequate due to the multi-value storage capabilities, which lead to issues like lower order page breakage and increased memory cell deterioration, necessitating improved data management to suppress the number of erase operations and enhance storage reliability.
Innovation Solution
A memory system comprising a volatile DRAM unit, a nonvolatile NAND flash memory unit, and a controller that stores management information during startup, performs data management, and includes a snapshot storage area, log storage area, and pointer storage areas to manage data storage positions and reduce the frequency of erase operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multi-value memory technology is employed to increase storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but data reliability deteriorates due to lower order page breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments management information into multiple components: first management information stored in a first area and second management information stored in a second area. This segmentation allows independent management and protection of different data types, preventing cascading failures that would occur in multi-value memory systems where a single error can corrupt multiple data bits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using dual-area storage for management information. The first area stores critical management information while the second area stores additional management information, acting as a protective intermediary layer that prevents direct corruption of data by memory errors, thus enhancing reliability while maintaining multi-value storage capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent erase operations are performed to manage data in NAND flash memory, then data management flexibility is improved, but memory cell life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating and pre-organizing management information in dedicated areas before data storage operations. The controller pre-manages the first and second areas for management information, reducing the need for frequent erase operations during normal data management, thus extending memory cell life while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designating specific areas (first area and second area) with specialized functions for storing management information. This localized organization allows efficient management of data without requiring widespread erase operations across the entire memory, thereby reducing wear on memory cells while maintaining data management flexibility.
3Device complexity
If management information is stored in a single location, then storage simplicity is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments management information storage into a first area and a second area, each storing different types of management information. This segmentation provides redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring that if one area becomes corrupted or lost, the other area can still provide necessary management information, thus improving system reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage parameter from single-location to multi-location storage. By storing management information in both a first area and a second area with different characteristics (volatile vs. non-volatile), the system achieves enhanced reliability through parameter diversification while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a volatile first storing unit, a nonvolatile second storing unit, and a controller. The controller performs data transfer, stores management information including a storage position of the data stored in the second storing unit into the first storing unit, and performs data management while updating the management information. The second storing unit has a management information storage area for storing management information storage information including management information in a latest state and a storage position of the management information. The storage position information is read by the controller during a startup operation of the memory system and includes a second pointer indicating a storage position of management information in a latest state in the management information storage area and a first pointer indicating a storage position of the second pointer. The first pointer is stored in a fixed area in the second storing unit and the second pointer is stored in an area excluding the fixed area in the second storing unit.