Multi-Bank Nonvolatile Memory Wear Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flash memory systems face inefficiencies in data update operations due to the need to erase and rewrite entire blocks, leading to high frequency of erase cycles and reduced endurance, especially when only a small portion of the block is updated, and there is a need for high capacity and performance non-volatile memory that can operate effectively with multiple banks over an extended period.
Innovation Solution
Implement a multi-bank nonvolatile memory system that identifies frequently written data and reassigned it to less-worn memory banks, while also moving less-frequently written data to heavily worn banks, thereby extending the operational life of the memory system by distributing wear evenly across banks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is frequently updated in flash memory blocks, then data accessibility is improved, but erase cycle frequency increases and endurance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is divided into multiple independent memory banks (Bank 0, Bank 1, etc.), each capable of storing frequently updated data. This segmentation allows the system to distribute write operations across multiple banks, preventing any single bank from experiencing excessive erase cycles while maintaining high data update capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reassignment of frequently updated data between memory banks based on wear level monitoring. The system continuously tracks erase cycle counts for each bank and dynamically redirects new writes to less-worn banks, adapting the data distribution strategy in real-time to optimize both performance and endurance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If entire memory blocks are erased and rewritten for updates, then data integrity is maintained, but operational time is lost due to full block erasure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portions of data that require updating from the memory block, rather than erasing and rewriting entire blocks. By identifying and operating on specific data segments within blocks, the system maintains data integrity for unchanged portions while reducing the scope of erase operations to only what is necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing complete block erasure (excessive action), the system performs partial erasure and rewriting operations only on the specific pages or sectors that contain data requiring updates. This partial action approach maintains data integrity while significantly reducing the time and wear associated with full block operations.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple memory banks are used to increase capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but wear distribution becomes uneven and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the wear level (erase cycle count) of each memory bank and uses this information to make intelligent decisions about data placement. The system reads the current state of each bank and adjusts the assignment of frequently updated data accordingly, ensuring that wear is distributed evenly across all banks over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the assignment parameters for data placement across memory banks based on monitored wear levels. By adjusting which bank receives newly written data based on current wear states, the system transforms the static capacity advantage of multiple banks into a dynamic wear-balancing mechanism that maintains reliability while preserving expanded storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-volatile memory system that has multiple memory banks initially assigns logical addresses to memory banks according to an assignment scheme, maintains this assignment for a period of time, then identifies frequently-written data (“hot-data”) assigned to a memory bank that is heavily worn over that period of time and reassigns it to a less worn memory bank.