Variable Namespace Sector Sizing for Parity-Aware Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems waste space due to padding for host metadata, which could be utilized for additional parity bits to enhance performance and reliability, especially for smaller sector sizes and metadata sizes.
Innovation Solution
Determine the sector size and host metadata size to allocate the difference for parity data instead of padding, allowing for increased parity bits, which are then used to assign data to higher quality memory portions with longer programming trim times and good redundant columns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If padding is used to normalize host metadata size, then data alignment and storage structure simplicity are improved, but storage space utilization deteriorates due to unused space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of sector size from fixed to variable, allowing the sector size to adapt to different host metadata sizes. This eliminates the need for padding while maintaining data alignment, as the sector size is dynamically adjusted to match the actual data size plus required parity bits, thereby improving storage space utilization without sacrificing alignment benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic sector sizing where the sector size varies based on the host metadata size and required parity bits. Instead of a static fixed sector size that requires padding, the system dynamically adjusts the sector size to optimize space utilization while maintaining proper alignment and error correction capabilities
2Device complexity
If fixed sector size is used, then storage structure simplicity is improved, but parity bit availability deteriorates for smaller data sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sector sizing that adjusts the sector size based on the actual data size and required parity bits. For smaller data sizes, the sector size is reduced accordingly, which increases the proportion of parity bits available relative to the total sector size, thereby improving error correction capability without requiring a complex fixed-size structure with wasted space
3Ease of operation
If padding is allocated for host metadata size variance, then data alignment is maintained, but performance deteriorates due to reduced parity bits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sector size parameter to be variable rather than fixed, allowing the system to optimize the balance between data alignment and parity bit availability. By adjusting the sector size to match the actual data size, the patent eliminates padding while maintaining alignment, thereby increasing the number of parity bits available and improving storage performance through better error correction capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for determining the sector size and concomitant host metadata size to determine the difference between total size of the data block to be stored, and using the difference for parity data. This allows an increase in parity bits available for smaller sector sizes and/or data with smaller host metadata sizes. Because the amount of space available for additional parity bits is known, data with lower numbers of parity bits may be assigned to higher quality portions a memory array written with longer programming trim times, and/or written to memory dies with good redundant columns, further increasing performance and reliability.