Scalable Storage Device Optical Control Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state storage devices face limitations in storage capacity and read/write throughput due to the surface area of electrical contacts and the bandwidth of existing optical and coaxial cable networks, making it faster to transport high-capacity storage devices rather than transmitting data through these networks.
Innovation Solution
A scalable storage device with a layered stack of memory and optical control layers that uses a high-speed optical interface for read and write operations, allowing multiple signals to be transmitted along a single optical channel, enabling high-speed data access and transfer without the constraints of traditional communication networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional electrical contacts are used for data transfer, then device compatibility is maintained, but read/write throughput is limited by surface area constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical contact interfaces with an optical interface system. Optical signals are transmitted through waveguides that penetrate the memory device substrate, enabling high-speed data transfer without the surface area limitations of electrical contacts. This substitution of optical for electrical systems resolves the throughput bottleneck while maintaining scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional electrical contact surfaces to three-dimensional optical waveguide paths that traverse through the substrate depth. By utilizing the vertical dimension and internal volume of the device rather than relying on surface contacts, the system achieves higher bandwidth without increasing surface area.
2Speed
If data is transmitted through optical or coaxial cable networks, then device compatibility is maintained, but transmission speed is limited compared to physical transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces external network transmission systems with an integrated optical interface that communicates directly with the memory array through waveguides. This eliminates the need for data to leave the device and travel through external cable networks, achieving speeds comparable to or exceeding physical transport while maintaining the benefits of electronic/optical storage.
3Quantity of substance
If storage capacity is increased, then more data can be stored, but read/write throughput becomes limited by network bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory device into multiple independently addressable memory arrays, each with its own dedicated optical waveguide interface. This segmentation allows parallel access to multiple storage regions simultaneously, enabling high-speed data retrieval from large-capacity devices by dividing the total data volume into concurrent access streams.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing network-based data transmission with direct optical waveguide access to the memory arrays, the system achieves data access speeds that scale with storage capacity rather than being constrained by external network bandwidth limitations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a portable, high-capacity storage device capable of reading or writing up to 10 petabytes in approximately 2 seconds with a read/write speed of 5 PB/sec, overcoming the limitations of traditional storage solutions by leveraging optical interfaces for efficient data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The optical control layer is adapted to receive optically-encoded read/write signals and effect read and write operations to the plurality of memory cells through an electrical interface
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations described and claimed herein provide a high-capacity, high-bandwidth scalable storage device. The scalable storage device includes a layer stack including at least one memory layer and at least one optical control layer positioned adjacent to the memory layer. The memory layer includes a plurality of memory cells and the optical control layer is adapted to receive optically-encoded read/write signals and to effect read and write operations to the plurality of memory cells through an electrical interface.