Multi-Plane Memory Programming With Failed-Block Data Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in ensuring data reliability when program operations fail in memory blocks, as it is difficult to maintain the integrity of data in other blocks due to the failure of a program operation.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a memory controller that manages data movement by storing data from failed blocks to replacement blocks and temporarily storing data from other blocks in backup blocks based on the number of free blocks available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is stored in multiple memory blocks, then storage capacity is improved, but data reliability deteriorates when program operation fails in one block
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is divided into multiple independent planes, each containing multiple memory blocks. When a program operation fails in one block, the failure is isolated to that specific block and plane, preventing propagation to other blocks and planes. This segmentation maintains data reliability while preserving overall storage capacity across the multi-plane structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller pre-establishes replacement blocks and backup blocks within the memory device before failures occur. When a program operation fails, the controller can immediately redirect data to pre-configured replacement blocks, ensuring continuous data availability without waiting for failure detection or recovery operations.
2Reliability
If replacement blocks are used for failed blocks, then data reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device integrates multiple functions within its structural components. Replacement blocks and backup blocks serve dual purposes: they act as normal storage blocks during regular operations and as failure recovery destinations when program operations fail. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated recovery hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device performs self-diagnosis and self-recovery through automated failure detection and data redirection mechanisms. The memory controller automatically identifies failed blocks, selects appropriate replacement blocks, and redirects data without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the complexity of external monitoring and management systems.
3Reliability
If data is temporarily stored in backup blocks, then data reliability is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller implements selective data redirection based on failure severity and system state. Not all data is necessarily redirected to backup blocks; the controller applies partial action by redirecting only critical data or data from specifically affected blocks, reducing the overall time required for failure recovery while maintaining adequate reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device maintains continuous data availability through overlapping operations. While some data is being redirected to replacement blocks, other memory operations continue uninterrupted in unaffected planes. This continuity ensures that the overall system operation time increase is minimized while still providing reliable data recovery for failed blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a memory device including a plurality of planes each including a plurality of memory blocks; and a memory controller for controlling the memory device to perform an operation on target blocks among the plurality of memory blocks, to store, in a replacement block, data stored in a bad block, on which the operation fails among the target blocks, and control the memory device to temporarily store, in a backup block, data stored in the other blocks except the bad block among the target blocks according to a number of free blocks included in the memory device.