Multi-Actuator Storage Device Logical Zone Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interface lacks logical units, preventing its use with Data Storage Devices (DSDs) that employ multiple actuators and other types of DSDs relying on logical units for device representation, leading to limitations in I/O operations and compatibility with HDDs and SSDs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of logical zone domains within the DSD, which associate physical realms with different data access methodologies, allowing for the use of SATA interface with DSDs having multiple actuators by enabling logical zone activation and deactivation based on host commands, thereby mapping logical addresses to physical realms and optimizing data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SATA interface is used with DSDs having multiple actuators, then compatibility and I/O performance are improved, but the interface lacks logical units which prevents proper device representation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage device into multiple logical units (LUNs), where each LUN corresponds to a specific actuator. This segmentation allows the SATA interface to properly represent and manage multiple actuators by treating each as a separate logical entity, thereby resolving the limitation of SATA lacking native logical unit support while maintaining compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces logical units as an intermediary layer between the SATA interface and the physical actuators. This intermediary enables the SATA interface to communicate with multiple actuators indirectly through standardized LUN commands, bridging the gap between SATA's single-actuator design and multi-actuator hardware configurations.
2Productivity
If multiple actuators are used to access data in different radial locations, then I/O operations per storage capacity unit are improved, but seek time and actuator positioning complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage device's address space into distinct logical units, each mapped to specific radial zones accessible by particular actuators. This segmentation enables the system to optimize I/O operations by directing requests to the appropriate actuator-LUN pair, improving throughput while managing seek time through intelligent request routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic actuator selection and LUN mapping based on the specific data access requirements. The system can dynamically assign different LUNs to different actuators depending on the workload, allowing flexible optimization of seek time and I/O performance for different access patterns without fixed physical constraints.
3Productivity
If logical zone domains are implemented to associate physical realms with data access methodologies, then data access optimization is improved, but device configuration and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage device into logical zone domains, where each domain associates specific physical realms with particular data access methodologies. This segmentation allows different optimization strategies to be applied to different zones independently, improving overall data access efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different data access methodologies to different logical zone domains based on local requirements. Each zone can be optimized with specific access patterns, caching strategies, or actuator assignments suited to its characteristics, allowing localized optimization without requiring complex global reconfiguration of the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device includes a disk and a plurality of actuators for reading and writing data on the disk in different physical realms. Each physical realm is associated with at least one logical zone domain including at least one logical zone. The at least one logical zone domain corresponds to an actuator of a plurality of actuators that accesses the physical realms associated with the at least one logical zone domain. In one aspect, reading and writing of data is enabled in one or more logical zones in response to a SATA zone activate command. In another aspect, a SATA read or write command is received indicating at least one logical address for data to read or written on the disk. Data is read or written in a physical realm using the actuator corresponding to a logical zone domain including the at least one logical address.