Power-Polling Circuit for Memory Storage Power Loss Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory storage apparatus face performance degradation and increased complexity due to power-off recovery algorithms, which divert resources from memory storage operations and require additional storage space, especially when power is suddenly cut off from a host.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power management unit and a power-polling time control circuit that senses external power supply levels, predicts power loss, and controls read/write operations to maintain voltage levels within operational ranges, preventing data errors and reducing the need for complex recovery algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power-off recovery algorithms are implemented in memory storage apparatus, then data safety during power off is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a power-polling mechanism that continuously monitors power supply status and predicts potential power loss before it occurs. The controller proactively identifies when power may be cut off and preemptively stops memory operations to prevent data corruption, eliminating the need for complex post-power-loss recovery algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power monitoring and prediction functionality from the main firmware logic into a dedicated power-polling time control circuit. This separation reduces the complexity of the main firmware by removing the need for extensive power-off recovery algorithms while maintaining data safety through specialized hardware assistance.
2Reliability
If power-off recovery algorithms are executed repeatedly, then data integrity is maintained, but productivity decreases due to resource diversion
Solution Approach 1:
The power-polling time control circuit operates autonomously to monitor power supply status and manage power-off predictions without requiring continuous intervention from the main firmware. This self-service mechanism maintains data integrity through proactive power management while minimizing the computational resources consumed by the memory storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing power status monitoring and operation stopping in advance through the power-polling mechanism, the system prevents data corruption before it occurs rather than repeatedly executing recovery algorithms after power loss, thereby maintaining data integrity while improving productivity.
3Reliability
If additional storage space is allocated for power-off recovery algorithms, then power loss protection is improved, but available storage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional firmware-based power-off recovery mechanism with a hardware-assisted power-polling time control circuit. This substitution eliminates the need to store extensive recovery algorithms in memory, thereby preserving available storage capacity while maintaining power loss protection through dedicated hardware functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Memory storage apparatus include a non-volatile memory for storing data and a power management unit configured to sense a level of an external power supply and to predict a loss of the external power supply. A power-polling time control circuit is configured to control a time when a voltage level sourced from the external power supply is reduced below a predetermined level after loss of the external power supply. A control logic controls read and/or write operations of the non-volatile memory responsive to a prediction of loss of the external power supply from the power management unit.