Semiconductor Command Profiling for Dynamic Execution Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices face variability in command execution times due to changing internal conditions, leading to inaccurate prediction by host processors and inefficient use of computing resources, such as timeouts and excessive polling or sleeping intervals.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a semiconductor device with a profiler that monitors and updates command execution times in real-time or near real-time, allowing host-side software to adjust sleep timers and polling intervals based on actual device conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed command execution time from datasheets is used, then the host processor can predict operation completion, but the prediction becomes inaccurate when internal device conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic command execution time adjustment by continuously monitoring actual execution times and updating the stored timing values. The host processor adapts to changing device conditions by using real-time feedback from the semiconductor device, transitioning from static datasheet values to dynamic, condition-aware prediction that maintains accuracy across varying operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor device provides feedback about actual command execution times to the host processor. This feedback mechanism allows the host to learn and adapt to the device's actual performance characteristics under different internal conditions, enabling accurate prediction by incorporating real-world operational data rather than relying solely on manufacturer specifications.
2Measurement precision
If the host processor uses polling to check command completion, then it can detect completion accurately, but computing resources are wasted when polling intervals are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The polling interval is made dynamic rather than fixed. The host processor adjusts the polling interval based on the stored command execution time values, using shorter intervals for faster commands and longer intervals for slower commands. This dynamic adaptation reduces unnecessary polling operations while maintaining accurate completion detection, thereby reducing computing resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The polling interval parameter is changed based on the command type and stored execution time data. Instead of using a constant polling interval, the system varies the interval parameter to match the expected execution time of different commands, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and resource consumption.
3Productivity
If the host processor uses a sleep timer based on datasheet values, then it can wait for command completion efficiently, but timeouts occur when actual execution time exceeds the fixed value
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep timer value is made dynamic by continuously updating it with actual command execution times measured from the semiconductor device. The host processor uses these updated dynamic values to set sleep timers that accurately reflect current device conditions, preventing timeouts caused by outdated datasheet values while maintaining efficient processor utilization through appropriate sleep intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement and storage of command execution times before issuing new commands. By pre-measuring and storing the actual execution time for each command type under current device conditions, the host processor can set accurate sleep timer values in advance, ensuring that the processor sleeps for the correct duration without risking timeout errors.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to improvements in command execution in semiconductor devices. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus including: a storage array; and a processor configured to: receive a command from a host processor, start to profile the command by initializing a counter at a first time, issue the command to the storage array, receive a response to the command, end profiling of the command at a second time, and update a command timing for a type of the command.