NAND Flash Block Management by Data Update Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for managing NAND flash memory blocks lead to frequent merging operations due to differences in access patterns between frequently-corrected file-system metadata and rarely-corrected user data, which reduces system performance and shortens the memory's lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that manage blocks based on the update frequency of data, separating frequently-updated metadata and rarely-updated user data into distinct blocks to minimize merging operations and optimize storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If file-system metadata and user data are stored in the same blocks, then storage space utilization is improved, but merging operations increase frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage space into separate blocks based on data update characteristics: frequently-updated blocks for metadata and rarely-updated blocks for user data. This segmentation prevents mixing of different update patterns, reducing the need for merging operations while maintaining efficient storage utilization.
2Ease of operation
If data is corrected by writing new data to the same position, then data correction is simplified, but merging operations increase due to flash memory constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates separate blocks for frequently-updated metadata and rarely-updated user data. This allows metadata corrections to occur in dedicated blocks without triggering merges, while user data remains stable in separate blocks, eliminating the merging problem caused by mixed update patterns.
3Reliability
If all blocks are used evenly to extend lifetime, then memory reliability is improved, but performance decreases due to frequent merges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments blocks into frequently-updated and rarely-updated categories, allowing the file system to manage metadata in dedicated blocks without triggering merges. This reduces overall merge frequency and performance impact while maintaining even wear distribution across all blocks through the FTL's block management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different update characteristics to different blocks: metadata blocks are designed for frequent updates while user data blocks are designed for rare updates. This local differentiation allows each block type to be optimized for its specific usage pattern, reducing merges while maintaining reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If metadata is frequently updated, then file system functionality is improved, but block merging increases when metadata and user data share blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates metadata storage into dedicated frequently-updated blocks, isolating them from user data blocks. This allows the file system to update metadata freely without triggering merges, maintaining full file system functionality while eliminating the merging problem caused by mixed data types in the same blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus are provided for managing blocks according to the update type of data in block-type memory. The method includes receiving data to be stored from an application; determining an update frequency of the data; extracting information of nonvolatile memory space in which the data will be stored according to the update frequency of the data; and transmitting information about the data and the space to the nonvolatile memory so that the data is stored in the space using information of the extracted space.