Selective Garbage Collection for Low-Battery Memory Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems experience increased power consumption and performance loss due to garbage collection operations, which can impair read, write, and erase speeds, particularly in battery-powered systems where additional power consumption is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Implement a selective garbage collection mechanism where the host system determines power parameters such as battery level and charging status, setting a flag to permit or suspend garbage collection operations based on these conditions, thereby optimizing power usage and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If garbage collection operations are performed continuously to maintain memory performance, then memory reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic garbage collection by adjusting the frequency and intensity of GC operations based on real-time power parameters. The system transitions from static continuous GC to dynamic adaptive GC, where the collection behavior changes according to battery level and charging status, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of garbage collection based on power conditions. When battery level is low or charging status changes, the system modifies GC parameters such as collection thresholds, interval times, and priority levels, allowing the system to maintain adequate memory reliability while significantly reducing power consumption during critical battery states.
2Speed
If garbage collection operations are performed frequently to clear invalid data, then memory speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing garbage collection selectively rather than continuously. The system performs GC only when power parameters indicate sufficient energy availability, and adjusts the extent of collection based on current battery state. This partial execution of GC maintains adequate memory speed while avoiding excessive power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If garbage collection is suspended to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but memory performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic garbage collection based on power parameter monitoring. Instead of suspending GC entirely or running continuously, the system performs collections at periodic intervals determined by battery level and charging status. This periodic approach ensures power consumption is reduced while memory performance is maintained through regular, albeit less frequent, collection cycles.
4Use of energy by moving object
If selective garbage collection based on power parameters is implemented, then power consumption is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the memory system continuously monitors power parameters (battery level, charging status) and uses this feedback to adjust garbage collection behavior. The host system provides power status information that feeds back into the memory controller, which then adapts GC operations accordingly. This feedback loop optimizes power consumption while keeping the control logic manageable through standardized monitoring and response protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for selective garbage collection are described. A host system may determine that a battery level is below a threshold or determine whether a power parameter of a memory system that includes a memory device satisfies a criterion. The host system may set a value of a flag. The memory system may perform an access operation and identify the value of the flag. The memory system may determine whether performing a garbage collection procedure is permitted based on identifying the value of the flag.