In-place State Change for Non-Volatile Memory Data Structures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency of changing data structures between volatile and persistent states in computing systems, which leads to unnecessary overhead in power consumption, performance, and memory usage due to the need to copy data between memory regions, especially in systems using rotating disk drives or flash memory.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an in-place change mechanism between transient and persistent states for data structures on Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) devices, allowing meta data changes without moving or copying the data structures themselves, enabling a Unified Memory and Storage (UMS) architecture that eliminates the need for separate volatile and persistent memory regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data structures are copied between volatile and persistent memory regions, then data can be accessed by the processor, but power consumption increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges volatile and persistent memory regions into a unified address space, allowing data structures to reside in a single location that can be accessed by the processor without physical copying. The NVM controller manages the unified memory region, enabling direct processor access to persistent data while eliminating redundant copy operations between separate memory regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The NVM controller acts as an intermediary between the processor and the unified memory region. It handles memory management tasks including translating logical addresses to physical addresses, managing the volatile-persistent state transitions, and coordinating access to data structures without requiring the processor to physically copy data between memory regions.
2Ease of operation
If data structures are copied between volatile and persistent memory regions, then data can be accessed by the processor, but memory footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges volatile and persistent memory regions into a unified address space, allowing data structures to reside in a single location that can be accessed by the processor without physical copying. The NVM controller manages the unified memory region, enabling direct processor access to persistent data while eliminating redundant copy operations between separate memory regions.
3Reliability
If separate volatile and persistent memory regions are used, then data can be stored persistently, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges volatile and persistent memory regions into a unified address space, allowing data structures to reside in a single location that can be accessed by the processor without physical copying. The NVM controller manages the unified memory region, enabling direct processor access to persistent data while eliminating redundant copy operations between separate memory regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified memory region serves multiple functions: it can store both volatile and persistent data structures, provide direct processor access, and maintain data persistence. The NVM controller implements multiple functions including address translation, state management, and access coordination within a single integrated component.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus related to in-place change between transient and persistent state for data structures on non-volatile memory are described. In one embodiment, controller logic causes a change in a state of a first portion of one or more non-volatile memory devices between a persistent state and a transient state and without moving data stored in the first portion of the one or more non-volatile memory devices. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.