Non-volatile Memory Program Failure Recovery via Backup Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Latent defects in semiconductor memory devices, such as shorts between signal lines and broken components, can cause programming failures during the manufacturing phase, leading to slowed operation and data loss, as existing methods often pause the programming process to reprogram data, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A non-volatile storage system that programs data associated with a program fault to a backup location before completing the programming process and then moves already programmed data to the backup location, allowing continuous operation without pausing the programming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the programming process is paused to reprogram data and move nearby data when a program failure is detected, then data integrity is protected, but programming speed and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-allocating backup blocks and preparing recovery mechanisms before programming failures occur. The system maintains a pool of pre-erased backup blocks ready for immediate use, and establishes error detection and correction capabilities in advance, allowing the programming process to continue without pausing when defects are encountered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing backup blocks as a mediating storage location between the original programming target and the final data storage. When a program failure is detected, data is temporarily redirected to these intermediary backup blocks, allowing the programming process to continue seamlessly while ensuring data integrity through the backup mechanism.
2Reliability
If latent defects are detected and the programming process is interrupted to reprogram data elsewhere, then programming failures are prevented, but operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and marking defective blocks before they cause programming failures. Latent defects are detected and recorded in advance through scanning and testing mechanisms, allowing the system to proactively redirect programming operations to healthy blocks before failures occur, thus maintaining high programming success rates without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback mechanisms that monitor programming operations in real-time. When latent defects are detected or program failures occur, the system immediately receives feedback and adjusts the programming process by redirecting to backup blocks, ensuring high programming success rates while minimizing operational time through rapid response.
3Productivity
If data is moved to backup location after completing programming, then programming performance is maintained, but data relocation operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating duplicate copies of data in backup blocks during the programming process itself, rather than moving data afterward. This ensures that both the original and backup locations contain valid data copies, allowing the system to maintain high programming performance while managing data relocation through simple copy operations rather than complex move operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-volatile storage system is proposed with an efficient process for recovering from programming failures. In response to determining that a program fault occurred, and prior to completing the programming, the system programs data associated with the program fault to a back-up location. After programming the data associated with the program fault to the back-up location, the system continues programming including programming data that has not yet been subject of a programming process to the back-up location. After completing the programming process, the system moves already programmed data near the location of the program fault to the back-up location.