Scalable Non-Volatile Memory Storage With Decoupled Networked Buses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage technologies, such as HDDs and SSDs, face limitations in volumetric density, scalability, concurrency, and power consumption, failing to meet future demands for high-speed, durable, and economically viable solutions.
Innovation Solution
A scalable data storage device utilizing non-volatile memory with a networked bus system and data routing modules that decouple buses, enabling high data transfer rates, increased volumetric density, and concurrency, while reducing power consumption through selective module powering and optimized bus operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If HDDs use thin platters and bring read/write heads closer to increase data density, then volumetric density is improved, but mechanical fragility increases and head crashes become more inevitable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical HDD system with a solid-state storage device that uses electronic data routing modules and memory modules. This eliminates moving parts, spinning platters, and mechanical heads, thereby completely removing the risk of head crashes while achieving high volumetric density through integrated circuit architecture.
2Speed
If HDDs spin platters at high speeds and move heads to increase data transfer rate, then speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical data access mechanisms with electronic data routing through memory modules. Data transfer is achieved through electronic signal routing rather than mechanical movement, enabling high-speed data access without the power consumption associated with spinning platters and moving heads.
3Productivity
If HDDs use multiple heads per platter to achieve concurrency of operations, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage device into multiple independent memory modules, each capable of autonomous operation. Data routing modules route operations to specific memory modules, enabling concurrent operations across multiple modules. This segmentation achieves productivity improvement without the mechanical complexity of multiple heads per platter.
4Reliability
If Flash SSDs use solid-state design to eliminate mechanical fragility, then reliability is improved, but speed is limited by internal design and cell operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage device into multiple independently operable memory modules with dedicated data routing. This parallel architecture enables multiple operations to occur simultaneously across different modules, dramatically increasing data transfer rates while maintaining solid-state reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential cell operation in traditional Flash SSDs to a multi-dimensional parallel architecture where multiple memory modules operate simultaneously. This dimensional expansion from single-threaded to multi-threaded operation enables speeds exceeding 32 MB/sec while maintaining solid-state durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A scalable data storage device which includes non-volatile memory uses a networked bus system which can be employed on a single memory storage chip level or in a multi-chip package (MCP). The scalable data storage device uses data routing modules which are adapted to store incoming data and send outgoing data thereby providing decoupling of the networked buses. This arrangement enables significantly higher data transfer rates, surpassing DRAM SSDs at a fraction of the size and cost, provides increased volumetric density (1 TB in less than 1 cubic inch), and permits concurrency of operations. The scalable data storage device can be engineered to have a rewrite capability of over 500 times that of Flash RAM and can scale down to 8 bits and up to exabytes, yottabytes and beyond. The scalable data storage device may be used in a wide range of applications from large data centers to small consumer electronic products.