Serial Attached NVRAM Module for DRAM Speed and Data Persistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems face challenges in ensuring the reliability and availability of vital computer data due to the differences between volatile and non-volatile memory, particularly in maintaining data integrity during power loss events and other disruptive events.
Innovation Solution
A computing system with a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) module that includes a non-volatile device, a volatile memory device, and a non-volatile controller unit, which detects disruptive events and automatically copies data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile device, ensuring data persistence and restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If volatile memory is used for fast data access, then speed and latency are improved, but data reliability deteriorates during power loss events
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring for disruptive events and automatically initiating data copying from volatile to non-volatile memory before actual data loss occurs. The controller detects power loss events or other disruptive conditions and triggers a backup operation, ensuring data is preserved before the volatile memory loses its contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that manages the interaction between volatile and non-volatile memory. This controller acts as a mediator that monitors the volatile memory state, detects disruptive events, and coordinates the data transfer process, allowing the system to maintain both speed and reliability by intelligently managing when to use each memory type.
2Reliability
If non-volatile memory is used for data persistence, then data reliability is improved, but speed and latency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between volatile and non-volatile memory based on operational conditions. During normal operation, the system uses volatile memory for fast access. When a disruptive event is detected, the system dynamically transitions to copying data to non-volatile memory and then restoring it, creating a dynamic adaptation strategy that optimizes both speed and reliability based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data restoration from non-volatile to volatile memory after detecting a disruptive event, ensuring that data is available in the fast memory medium as quickly as possible once power is restored, thereby minimizing the impact on overall system performance.
3Reliability
If data copying mechanism is added to ensure data persistence, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple tasks: monitoring volatile memory state, detecting disruptive events, initiating data copying operations, and managing restoration processes. By consolidating these functions into a single controller unit, the system achieves data persistence without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service capabilities where the controller automatically detects disruptive events and triggers data copying operations without external intervention. This autonomous behavior reduces the need for additional complex control logic and external management systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for enabling serial attached Non-Volatile (NV) memory are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a computing system including: in an NV Random Access Memory module (NVRAM) having a non-volatile device, a volatile memory device with data, a NV Controller unit (NVC), and a serial host interface, the method includes: receiving a request for data on the serial host interface and providing the requested data, from the volatile memory device with data, on the serial host interface. The method also includes: detecting a disruptive volatile memory event; copying the data of the volatile memory device to the NV device based on the disruptive volatile memory event; and restoring the data of the volatile memory device from the NV device. In this way, Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) level endurance and speed/latency can be provided while making it NV.