Separate Memory Partition for Buffer and Snapshot Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems used in autonomous vehicles and IoT devices face a significant gap between total bytes written (TBW) and user capacity, leading to high storage demands and throughput requirements, particularly for applications like event recorders that need to buffer and store large amounts of telemetric data efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A memory sub-system with separate partitions for buffer and snapshot memory, where the cyclic buffer partition handles high-write throughput and the snapshot partition stores critical data upon trigger events, utilizing non-volatile memory devices with different endurance characteristics to manage data storage and retrieval efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single memory partition is used for both buffering and snapshot storage, then device complexity is reduced, but the Total Bytes Written to User Capacity ratio increases, reducing endurance and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is divided into two separate partitions: a first partition dedicated to buffer operations and a second partition dedicated to snapshot storage. This segmentation allows each partition to be optimized for its specific function, with the buffer partition handling high-write throughput operations and the snapshot partition preserving critical data, thereby reducing the TBW to user capacity ratio and improving overall endurance
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the memory device are assigned different characteristics and purposes. The first partition is optimized for buffering with higher write tolerance, while the second partition is optimized for snapshot storage with data preservation requirements. This local differentiation allows each region to operate under optimal conditions for its specific function
2Quantity of substance
If buffer and snapshot memory are combined in a single partition, then storage capacity is maximized, but write throughput performance deteriorates due to mixed workloads
Solution Approach 1:
The memory space is segmented into distinct buffer and snapshot partitions, allowing simultaneous independent operations. The buffer partition can accept high-rate write operations from the host while the snapshot partition performs periodic data preservation, eliminating workload interference and maintaining high write throughput performance
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages data flow between the host, buffer partition, and snapshot partition. It coordinates write operations to the buffer and periodically transfers selected data to the snapshot partition, enabling efficient data movement without compromising the write throughput of the buffer operations
3Quantity of substance
If all memory is allocated for user capacity, then storage demand is met, but buffer operations cannot be performed, reducing data protection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The total memory capacity is segmented into a first partition for buffer operations and a second partition for snapshot storage, with the remaining space available for user capacity. This segmentation ensures that dedicated space is reserved for data protection functions while still providing sufficient user capacity to meet storage demands
Solution Approach 2:
The snapshot partition is pre-configured and ready to receive data from the buffer partition when trigger events occur. This preliminary preparation ensures that data protection can be executed immediately when needed, without requiring additional allocation or configuration time
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a processing device and trigger circuitry to signal the processing device responsive, at least in part, based on a determination that a trigger event has occurred. The system can further include a memory device communicatively coupled to the processing device. The memory device can include a cyclic buffer partition portion having a first endurance characteristic and a first reliability characteristic associated therewith. The memory device can further include a snapshot partition portion coupled to the cyclic buffer partition portion via hold-up capacitors. The snapshot partition portion can have a second endurance characteristic and a second reliability characteristic associated therewith. The processing device can perform operations including writing received data sequentially to the cyclic buffer partition portion and writing, based at least in part on the determination that the trigger event has occurred, data from the cyclic buffer partition portion to the snapshot partition portion.