Movable Carriage Selectively Coupling Data Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage systems face challenges in balancing power consumption and heat generation with the need for quick data access, as continuous coupling of all data storage devices to a host device leads to high energy costs and slow data retrieval in cold storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system with a movable carriage that selectively couples to various sets of data storage devices, reducing power consumption and heat generation by powering down unused devices and quickly accessing needed data storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all data storage devices are continuously coupled to a host device, then data access speed is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data storage devices into multiple groups, with each group coupled to a separate movable carriage. This allows selective coupling of only the necessary storage group to the host device, reducing power consumption while maintaining fast access speeds for active data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs movable carriages that can dynamically couple and decouple from data storage device groups based on access requirements. This dynamic configuration enables the system to transition between states of high performance (all devices coupled) and low power consumption (fewer devices coupled), resolving the contradiction between speed and energy use.
2Loss of time
If data storage devices are continuously coupled to a host device, then data access time is reduced, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing storage devices into segmented groups coupled to different carriages, the system can activate only the segments needing access. This reduces the total number of active devices, thereby reducing heat generation while maintaining quick access times for the active segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts or removes unnecessary data storage device groups from the active coupled state when they are not needed for data access. This extraction reduces heat generation from inactive devices while keeping the necessary devices coupled for fast access.
3Use of energy by moving object
If data storage devices are stored in cold storage, then power consumption is reduced, but data retrieval time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable carriage system creates a dynamic intermediate state between cold storage and hot storage. Devices can be quickly coupled to carriages when needed, providing fast access without requiring continuous coupling, thus reducing power consumption while minimizing data retrieval time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coupling of data storage device groups to movable carriages in anticipation of potential access needs. This preliminary positioning allows for faster data retrieval when access is required, while the devices remain in a lower power state compared to continuous online coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing, a data storage magazine configured to hold a plurality of data storage devices, and a movable carriage disposed within the housing that is configured to selectively couple the data storage devices to a host device. The data storage magazine includes a set of magazine signal paths configured to provide signals to the plurality of data storage devices. The movable carriage includes a set of carriage signal paths configured to provide signals to the plurality of data storage devices. The apparatus includes a controller configured to power the plurality of data storage devices by selectively routing the signals via the set of magazine signal paths or the set of carriage signal paths.