Memory Subsystem Controller Scheduling Media Management Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional memory sub-systems fail to adequately schedule media management operations, such as garbage collection, to ensure sufficient block availability during data burst periods, leading to dropped incoming host data due to insufficient idle time for these operations.

Innovation Solution

A memory sub-system controller determines usage parameter values based on host system usage requirements, such as data burst rate and idle time, to schedule media management operations between expected time periods, ensuring enough blocks are available for incoming data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If media management operations are performed continuously, then media management performance is improved, but host system data writing is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia management operation performanceVSAvoidhost system data writing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scheduling of media management operations by determining usage parameter values that characterize host system usage patterns and adjusting the timing of garbage collection operations accordingly. The system dynamically selects between different scheduling approaches (usage-based scheduling versus round-robin scheduling) based on current host system activity, allowing media management operations to be performed during periods of low host activity while ensuring data writing is not delayed during high activity periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If idle time for media management operations is increased, then block availability during data bursts is improved, but host system productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock availability during data burstsVSAvoidhost system productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring host system usage patterns and using this information to adjust media management operation scheduling. The controller determines usage parameter values that reflect actual host system behavior and uses this feedback to optimize the timing of garbage collection operations, ensuring that blocks are available when needed for data bursts while minimizing impact on host system productivity. The system continuously adapts its scheduling based on observed usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If usage-based scheduling is implemented, then media management timing is optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia management timing optimizationVSAvoidscheduling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages complexity by focusing on determining key usage parameter values that characterize host system usage patterns, rather than implementing complex real-time analysis of all system activities. The system uses these determined parameters to select between simplified scheduling approaches (usage-based or round-robin), thereby optimizing media management timing while controlling system complexity through parameter-driven decision-making rather than complex algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12197769B2Scheduling media management operations based on determined host system usage requirements

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 LODESTAR LICENSING GROUP LLC

AI summary

A first time period during which the memory sub-system is expected to receive first host data from a host system and a second time period during which the memory sub-system is expected to receive second host data from the host system is determined in view of one or more prior programming operations performed at a memory sub-system. A memory management operation is scheduled to be performed between the first time period and the second time period.