Redundant Backup Using Non-Volatile Memory Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in efficiently backing up volatile memory data to non-volatile memory, particularly in preventing data loss during power interruptions, as non-volatile memory solutions are not as economical or efficient as volatile memory, and traditional backup methods are impractical or costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for redundant backup using a multi-channel flash memory system with a controller that decouples volatile memory from the host, writes data to multiple channels in non-volatile memory, and error-checks these channels to ensure error-free data recovery, utilizing error-correcting codes and redundant storage to maintain data integrity during power disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all volatile memory data is backed up to non-volatile memory continuously, then data safety during power interruption is improved, but system performance and economy deteriorate due to the slower speed and higher cost of non-volatile memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective backup of only critical data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory based on designated critical regions, rather than backing up all data. This partial action approach maintains data safety for essential information while avoiding the performance penalty of continuously backing up entire memory contents to slower non-volatile storage.
2Reliability
If non-volatile memory is used for backup, then data preservation during power disruption is improved, but cost and complexity increase compared to volatile memory solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The volatile memory is divided into critical and non-critical regions, with only the critical region being backed up to non-volatile memory. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity by limiting the backup function to essential data only, reducing the overall complexity compared to backing up entire memory systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of critical data from volatile memory and stores them in non-volatile memory channels. This copying approach preserves data without requiring the entire volatile memory system to be non-volatile, thereby maintaining a balance between data preservation and system complexity.
3Reliability
If multi-channel redundant storage is implemented, then data integrity and error correction capability are improved, but memory endurance deteriorates due to increased write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements redundant storage only for critical data in designated regions rather than all memory data. This partial redundancy approach provides error correction capability for essential information while limiting the number of write operations to extend the overall flash memory endurance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the memory system have different redundancy characteristics - critical regions have full redundant channel protection while non-critical regions have reduced or no redundancy. This local differentiation optimizes data integrity for important data while preserving flash memory lifespan by avoiding excessive writes to less critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
Data stored in a volatile memory subsystem is backed up redundantly into first and second channels of a non-volatile memory subsystem. The data is retrieved from the volatile memory subsystem upon detection of a trigger condition indicative of real or imminent power loss or reduction and multiple copies are stored in dedicated non-volatile memory channels. The stored copies may be error checked and corrected, and re-written if necessary. The redundantly backed up data can be subsequently retrieved from the non-volatile memory subsystem, error-corrected, and an error-free copy communicated to the volatile memory subsystem.