Reclaim Unit Handle Updates for Lower Write Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices face challenges in efficiently managing data updates in nonvolatile memory, leading to issues such as write amplification and reduced reliability due to partial reclaim units being left unfilled, which affects durability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A flexible data placement scheme that utilizes reclaim units, allowing hosts to specify storage locations and dynamically manage data transfers between units, including the use of reclaim unit handles to optimize data placement and reduce write amplification by filling partially full units with fill data or transferring data to empty units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is updated by erasing and re-writing in nonvolatile memory blocks, then data can be stored and updated, but write amplification occurs and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the block management into multiple reclaim units (RUs) within each block, allowing independent management and updating of smaller units rather than erasing entire blocks. This segmentation enables partial updates without affecting other data, reducing write amplification while maintaining data durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining a reclaim unit handle that pre-identifies target reclaim units for updates. This handle mechanism allows the system to prepare and track update operations in advance, enabling efficient data placement and reducing the need for repeated erasure and rewriting operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reclaim units are not fully utilized, then data placement flexibility is maintained, but storage space is wasted and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reclaim unit management where the system can dynamically allocate, merge, and split reclaim units based on actual storage needs and data placement patterns. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying workloads while ensuring full utilization of storage space, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of reclaim unit size and configuration dynamically. By adjusting reclaim unit parameters based on usage patterns and merging partial reclaim units when appropriate, the system optimizes both space utilization and data placement flexibility, ensuring that storage resources are fully utilized while maintaining operational versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple reclaim units are managed separately, then data organization is simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple reclaim units under a unified reclaim unit handle mechanism. This handle serves as a single point of control that can reference and manage multiple underlying reclaim units, simplifying the interface and management logic while handling the complexity of multiple units internally through coordinated operations.
4Productivity
If partial reclaim units are left unfilled, then data transfer operations are reduced, but write amplification increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing mechanisms to fill partial reclaim units with valid data from other units during normal operations. This continuous filling process eliminates gaps in storage utilization and prevents the accumulation of unfilled spaces that would require subsequent data transfer operations, thereby reducing write amplification and maintaining high performance.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E
AI summary
A storage device may include at least one storage medium, and a controller that may include at least one processor configured to perform an update operation associated with a reclaim unit handle that references at least one reclaim unit of the at least one storage medium, read, based on the update operation, data from a first reclaim unit of the at least one storage medium, and write, based on the update operation, the data to a second reclaim unit of the at least one storage medium. Based on the update operation, the second reclaim unit may be associated with the reclaim unit handle. The first reclaim unit may be associated with the reclaim unit handle. The reclaim unit handle may be a first reclaim unit handle, and the first reclaim unit may be associated with a second reclaim unit handle.