Memory Controller Prioritizes Background Media Management by Access Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in efficiently performing media management operations during production and field use, which can lead to increased production time, cost, and data loss due to thermal stress and read disturb effects, especially when combined with normal memory access operations.
Innovation Solution
A memory controller prioritizes media management operations by maintaining memory access operation counters for address ranges and performing these operations in the background, ordered by the intensity of previous access, ensuring critical data is protected and reducing adverse effects on memory cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If media management operations are performed during production and field use, then data loss due to thermal stress and read disturb effects is reduced, but production time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs media management operations in advance during production testing before the memory sub-system is deployed to the host system. By conducting read disturb and thermal stress management operations during the production phase, the system preemptively addresses potential data loss issues before field use begins, thereby preventing future reliability problems without impacting operational time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides media management operations into distinct phases: production-phase operations and field-use operations. During production, specific operations like read disturb management are performed on unallocated memory portions, while field-use operations handle allocated memory. This segmentation allows optimization of each phase independently, reducing overall production time while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If media management operations are performed during production testing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts media management operations from the host system and implements them directly in the memory sub-system controller. By taking out these operations and embedding them in the memory device itself, the system improves reliability without requiring additional complexity in the host system. The controller autonomously performs read disturb management and thermal stress operations on memory cells
Solution Approach 2:
The memory sub-system performs media management operations on itself autonomously during production testing. The controller conducts read disturb management and thermal stress operations on memory portions without requiring external intervention from the host system. This self-service capability improves reliability while minimizing added system complexity
3Productivity
If normal memory access operations are combined with media management operations, then productivity is improved, but read disturb and thermal stress effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different management strategies to different portions of memory based on their allocation status. Unallocated memory portions undergo aggressive media management operations including read disturb management and thermal stress operations, while allocated memory portions use gentler operations to avoid interfering with normal host access. This local differentiation allows high productivity in allocated regions while maintaining reliability through intensive management in unallocated regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs intensive media management operations on unallocated memory portions before allocation occurs. By conducting read disturb management and thermal stress operations in advance on memory that will later be allocated, the system prepares the memory for future high-productivity use while minimizing harmful effects during actual operation
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems and methods for prioritization of background media management operations in memory systems. An example system comprises a controller coupled to a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells. The controller is configured to perform operations, comprising: identifying a plurality of address ranges referencing respective sets of memory cells of the memory array, wherein each address range is associated with a respective memory access operation counter reflecting a number of memory access operations that have been performed with respect to a corresponding set of memory cells; identifying, among the plurality of address ranges, an address range associated with a maximum value of a corresponding memory access operation counter; and causing a media management operation to be performed with respect to a set of memory cells referenced by the identified address range.