Memory Superblock Division for Usable Runt Block Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems face performance degradation due to incomplete or residue superblocks containing invalid blocks, leading to decreased overprovisioning and reduced storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A memory system is configured to generate and access usable runt superblocks from incomplete and residue superblocks by swapping valid blocks within the system, creating complete superblocks and repurposing residue blocks into smaller, usable superblocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the memory system uses incomplete or residue superblocks containing invalid blocks, then the storage capacity is reduced, but the system structure remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a residue superblock containing invalid blocks into multiple smaller runt superblocks. Each runt superblock is separated and independently managed, allowing valid blocks to be extracted and used while isolating invalid blocks. This segmentation transforms an unusable residue superblock into multiple usable runt superblocks, increasing storage capacity without requiring complete restructuring of the memory system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts valid blocks from residue superblocks that contain invalid blocks. By taking out the usable valid blocks and separating them into new runt superblocks, the system recovers storage capacity that would otherwise be lost. The invalid blocks remain isolated in the original residue superblock structure, allowing the valid portions to be utilized independently.
2Reliability
If the memory system refrains from using superblocks with invalid blocks, then performance is maintained, but overprovisioning decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments residue superblocks into runt superblocks, creating smaller independent units that can be individually assessed for validity. This allows the system to maintain reliability by only accessing runt superblocks with valid blocks, while simultaneously increasing overprovisioning by utilizing previously unusable residue superblocks that are now divided into accessible smaller units.
3Quantity of substance
If the memory system divides residue superblocks into runt superblocks, then usable storage capacity increases, but the complexity of superblock management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation of residue superblocks into smaller runt superblocks, which increases usable storage capacity by creating independently accessible units from previously unusable residue blocks. The segmentation process automatically identifies valid blocks and creates appropriate runt superblock structures, managing complexity through systematic division rather than manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating runt superblocks with specific properties tailored to their content - each runt superblock is configured based on the validity and characteristics of its constituent blocks. This localized optimization allows the system to manage diversity in superblock types (complete, incomplete, runt, residue) with specialized handling for each, improving overall manageability despite the increased variety of structures.
4Reliability
If the memory system accesses only complete superblocks, then access reliability is high, but storage utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments residue superblocks into runt superblocks, creating smaller independent access units. This segmentation enables the system to access individual runt superblocks with valid blocks without requiring access to entire residue superblocks containing invalid blocks, thereby maintaining high access reliability while improving storage utilization by making previously unusable space accessible in smaller units.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for dividing superblocks in a memory system are described. A memory system may be configured to determine whether a first superblock includes a first quantity of valid physical blocks below a threshold to use the first superblock as an incomplete superblock. In response to determining that the first quantity of valid physical blocks is below the threshold, the memory system may generate a second superblock using one or more first valid physical blocks of the first superblock. In such cases, the memory system may access the second superblock based on generating the second superblock.