Non-Volatile Memory Health Control by Physical Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-volatile memory management systems retire entire blocks of memory due to uneven degradation, leading to unnecessary waste of storage capacity, as they lack the ability to dynamically adjust programming and error correction methods for individual physical sections.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a health table to identify degrading physical sections within a block, allowing a controller to dynamically adjust programming and error correction methods, enabling the retirement of only unusable sections while maintaining the functionality of the rest, thus extending the life of the memory device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional block-level retirement scheme is used, then simplicity of management is maintained, but storage capacity is significantly reduced due to unnecessary retirement of usable memory cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory block into multiple physical sections (e.g., physical pages or sub-blocks) and implements independent health management for each section. Instead of retiring entire blocks, the system can retire individual degraded sections while maintaining usable sections, thereby preserving storage capacity while managing complexity through structured segmentation of the memory hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different programming and error correction methods to different physical sections based on their individual health status. Degraded sections receive enhanced error correction or are retired, while healthy sections use standard methods. This localized adaptation optimizes storage capacity utilization without requiring complex global management changes.
2Ease of operation
If block-level retirement is implemented, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of storage capacity increases due to premature retirement
Solution Approach 1:
The memory block is segmented into multiple physical sections that can be independently managed. The controller maintains a health table tracking the status of each section, enabling selective retirement of only degraded portions while keeping healthy sections operational, thus reducing storage capacity loss without significantly complicating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes programming parameters (such as programming voltage, pulse width, or error correction code strength) based on the health status of each physical section. This parameter adaptation allows the system to extend the usable life of degraded sections and delay retirement, thereby reducing storage capacity loss while maintaining ease of operation through automated parameter adjustment.
3Device complexity
If uniform programming method is applied to all physical sections, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to uneven degradation patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different programming methods to different physical sections based on their individual degradation levels. Healthy sections use standard programming methods, while degraded sections receive adaptive programming with adjusted parameters (e.g., reduced voltage, extended pulse duration, or additional verification steps), thereby improving reliability without requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The programming method dynamically adapts to the health status of each physical section. The controller monitors degradation patterns and automatically adjusts programming parameters for affected sections, enabling the system to respond to changing reliability conditions without increasing operational complexity for the user.
4Quantity of substance
If early retirement of degraded sections is avoided, then storage capacity is optimized, but duration of action increases requiring more sophisticated health management
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary health assessment and monitoring of physical sections before degradation becomes critical. By maintaining a health table and detecting early signs of degradation, the controller can proactively adjust programming methods or relocate data from at-risk sections, thereby extending the operational lifespan of the memory device while maximizing usable storage capacity through preventive rather than reactive management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring of physical section health through read operations and error detection. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust programming methods, error correction strategies, or data relocation decisions, enabling extended operational lifespan and optimized storage capacity utilization through adaptive health management throughout the device's lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling programming of a non-volatile memory including at least one block partitioned into a plurality of physical sections, each of the physical sections including a plurality of memory cells, the apparatus including a controller configured to access a table including information corresponding to individual ones of the plurality of physical sections. The controller is configured to identify a first programming method for a first physical section of the plurality of physical sections and identify a second programming method for a second physical section of the plurality of physical sections according to information in the table corresponding to the first and second physical sections. The controller is also configured to program the first and second physical sections according to the first and second programming methods for the first and section physical sections, respectively.