Parallel Die Processor Boot Record Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory systems, such as solid-state drives (SSDs), face challenges in reducing boot time due to the need to search for the latest boot record within NAND flash memory blocks, which involves numerous program/erase cycles and requires scanning across multiple blocks, leading to inefficiencies in finding the exact page containing the last update.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a memory system with parallel processing across multiple memory channels, where die processors on each channel find the last written data and provide this information to a monarch processor to determine the appropriate boot record for firmware images, thereby reducing the time required to locate the latest boot record.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If sequential scanning method is used to find the latest boot record, then the search process is simple to implement, but the boot time is excessive and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory system into multiple independent memory channels, each equipped with its own die processor. Each die processor independently scans its assigned memory blocks to find the latest write address, thereby segmenting the previously sequential scanning process into parallel operations. This segmentation enables simultaneous execution of boot record searches across multiple channels, significantly reducing boot time while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional sequential scanning approach to a multi-dimensional parallel processing architecture. By introducing multiple memory channels operating simultaneously, the system adds a spatial dimension to the boot record search process. The monarch processor coordinates these parallel operations, collecting results from multiple die processors to determine the latest boot record, thereby transforming the time-consuming sequential process into an efficient parallel operation.
2Productivity
If parallel processing is implemented across multiple memory channels, then boot time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing workload by assigning dedicated die processors to specific memory channels and blocks. Each die processor handles a defined subset of the boot record search task, independently identifying the latest write address in its assigned memory space. This segmentation distributes the computational burden across multiple specialized units, improving boot process speed while keeping each individual processor relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the results from multiple independent die processors through the monarch processor. The monarch processor collects the latest write address information from all die processors, compares these results, and determines the overall latest boot record. This merging approach allows the system to leverage parallel processing power while maintaining a centralized coordination mechanism that manages the complexity of integrating multiple processing units.
3Reliability
If comprehensive scanning of all memory blocks is performed, then the latest boot record is reliably identified, but power consumption increases during initialization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having die processors continuously maintain information about the latest write address in their assigned memory blocks. Instead of performing comprehensive scans during each boot sequence, the system pre-processes and caches this metadata information during normal operations. When booting, the monarch processor can quickly retrieve and compare this pre-prepared information from multiple die processors, reliably identifying the latest boot record with minimal power consumption during initialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having each die processor scan only its specifically assigned subset of memory blocks rather than requiring comprehensive scanning of the entire memory space. This division of labor ensures that the latest boot record is reliably identified through coordinated partial scans, while significantly reducing the total processing power required during boot compared to a full-system scan approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a plurality of memory channels, each of the plurality of memory channels includes a plurality of memory dies and a die processor, each of the plurality of memory dies includes a plurality of memory blocks; and a memory controller including a monarch processor, coupled to the plurality of memory channels, wherein the die processor on each of the plurality of memory channels is configured in parallel to process to find last written data within at least a predetermined block of the plurality of memory dies; and provide information regarding the last written data to the monarch processor, the monarch processor determines which boot record to be used to identify firmware images based on the information.