Partial R-Block Recycling in SSD Controllers

The patent divides an R-block into smaller granular units (pages or blocks) that can be independently recycled. Instead of treating the entire R-block as a single unit, the controller identifies and recycles only the specific pages or blocks containing valid data, while leaving other portions untouched. This segmentation enables fine-grained recycling operations that improve efficiency by avoiding unnecessary data movement of entire R-blocks.

The patent implements partial recycling by performing recycling operations on only a portion of an R-block rather than the entire block. The controller selectively recycles pages or blocks within an R-block based on the actual location of valid data, applying the recycling action only where necessary. This partial action approach maintains data integrity while reducing the overall scope of recycling operations and associated energy consumption.

The patent segments the R-block structure into addressable units (pages or blocks) that can be individually targeted for recycling. This segmentation provides fine-grained control over recycling operations, allowing the controller to selectively recycle specific portions of an R-block based on valid data location. The segmented approach enhances adaptability by enabling selective recycling while maintaining a manageable level of complexity through structured addressable units.

The patent introduces dynamic recycling control where the scope of recycling operations can be adjusted based on system conditions. The controller can dynamically determine whether to recycle at the R-block level, page level, or block level within an R-block, adapting the recycling granularity to the specific situation. This dynamic approach provides versatile selective recycling capability while managing complexity through context-dependent operation selection.