Memory Zoning with Variable Redundancy for Data Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory systems store data with a uniform level of redundancy, leading to inefficiencies as they reserve half or more of the memory for redundant storage, increasing costs without ensuring that all data receives the necessary level of protection, as not all data requires the same level of reliability.
Innovation Solution
The memory system is partitioned into zones with varying redundancy levels, allowing data to be stored in zones that match its specific redundancy level, determined by the desired level of protection, thereby optimizing storage space and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is stored with a high level of redundancy, then data reliability is improved, but storage space is reduced and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by partitioning memory into zones with different redundancy levels. Critical data is stored in zones with higher redundancy (e.g., zone A with 50% redundancy) while non-critical data is stored in zones with lower redundancy (e.g., zone B with 20% redundancy). This allows different parts of the memory system to have different reliability characteristics matched to the specific needs of the stored data, rather than applying uniform redundancy across all data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the redundancy parameter dynamically based on data characteristics. The memory controller assigns different redundancy levels to different data blocks based on their criticality. This parameter change enables the system to optimize between reliability and storage capacity by adjusting redundancy levels according to the specific requirements of each data set, rather than using a fixed redundancy level for all data.
2Reliability
If uniform high redundancy is applied to all data, then critical data protection is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating distinct memory zones with differentiated redundancy characteristics. Zone A is configured with higher redundancy for storing critical data that requires maximum protection, while zone B uses lower redundancy for non-critical data. This localized approach ensures that critical data receives enhanced protection while non-critical data does not consume unnecessary redundancy resources, thereby improving overall storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the memory system into multiple zones with different redundancy levels. By dividing the memory into separate regions (zone A, zone B, etc.), each with tailored redundancy configurations, the system can protect critical data with high redundancy while maintaining high storage efficiency for non-critical data in separate zones. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing differentiated protection strategies within the same memory system.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for storing data in a memory system with different levels of redundancy are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide allow a redundancy level to be associated with received data, wherein associating the redundancy level of the data includes determining a desired level of protection for that data and determining the redundancy level based on the desired level of protection. A zone within a memory system is located that has a redundancy level that matches the redundancy level of the data, and the data is stored in the located zone with the desired redundancy level.