Storage Device Sub-Controller for Memory Controller Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory controllers in storage devices, such as SSDs and eMMCs, can enter abnormal states like deadlock due to errors during code execution, leading to communication failure with host devices and impaired device operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of sub-controllers that communicate through a secondary channel to monitor and broadcast operation status, allowing for recovery information exchange among storage devices to restore memory controllers to a normal state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a memory controller operates without external monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when abnormal states occur
Solution Approach 1:
A sub-controller is introduced as an intermediary component that monitors the memory controller's operation status through a second channel. The sub-controller detects abnormal states and facilitates recovery by exchanging information with external devices, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex modifications to the memory controller itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device is segmented into two functional parts: the memory controller handling primary data operations and the sub-controller dedicated to monitoring and recovery. This segmentation allows the monitoring function to be performed independently, improving reliability while keeping each component's complexity manageable.
2Reliability
If the memory controller enters an abnormal state, then operation status changes, but communication with host device becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-controller serves as a mediator that maintains communication capability even when the memory controller enters an abnormal state. It uses a second channel to communicate with external devices, allowing recovery information to be exchanged while the memory controller remains in its abnormal state, thus preserving communication ease.
Solution Approach 2:
A second communication channel is introduced as an additional dimension for communication. This separate channel allows the sub-controller to exchange recovery information with external devices independently of the first channel used by the memory controller, ensuring communication capability persists during abnormal states.
3Reliability
If sub-controllers are added to monitor and facilitate recovery, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into specialized components: the memory controller for data operations and the sub-controller for monitoring and recovery. This functional segmentation improves reliability by dedicating specific components to specific tasks while keeping each component's internal complexity relatively low and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a storage device including a non-volatile memory, a memory controller configured to communicate with a host device through a first channel and configured to control the non-volatile memory, and a sub controller configured to communicate with the host device through a second channel and configured to monitor an operation status of the memory controller. The sub controller is configured to perform operations including broadcasting state information of the storage device including the operation status to at least one external device through the second channel, and performing a recovery operation on the memory controller when recovery information is received from the at least one external device through the second channel.