Spare Block Pool for Debug Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory devices face degradation over time, leading to errors and the need for efficient debug and error correction mechanisms to maintain data integrity, as existing solutions only store the latest control data and lack comprehensive debugging information.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a data storage device with a memory interface and electronic processor that detects control block exchange events, generates debug blocks by copying control information from control blocks to spare blocks, and reserves spare blocks for storing additional control data during formatting operations, enabling comprehensive debugging and error recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control information is stored only in the latest control block, then storage space is conserved, but debugging information is lost when memory degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates copies of control information blocks and stores them in spare blocks. When a control block becomes full or needs to be exchanged, the system copies the control information to a spare block before recycling the original block. This ensures that historical control data is preserved for debugging purposes while managing storage space efficiently.
2Reliability
If spare blocks are used for debugging information, then error correction capability is improved, but available storage for user data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a block recycling mechanism where spare blocks that have served their debugging purpose can be recovered and returned to the pool of available blocks for user data storage. When control information is successfully copied to a spare block, the original control block is marked as available for recycling, thus recovering storage space for user data while maintaining debugging capabilities.
3Productivity
If control blocks are recycled to increase storage availability, then storage efficiency is improved, but debugging information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary copying of control information to spare blocks before recycling control blocks. By proactively creating copies of the control data in spare blocks before the original blocks are marked for recycling, the system ensures that debugging information is preserved in advance, allowing control blocks to be safely recycled without losing historical control data.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for storing control information for memory operations within spare physical blocks. During formatting of a data storage device, spare memory blocks may be identified within memory dies and placed into a spare block pool. Upon initiation of a block exchange event for a control block, a controller determines whether a spare block is available in the spare block pool. When a spare block is available, data from the control block is copied to the spare block to generate a debug block. The control block may be a MasterIndexPage block. When a spare block is not available, the controller may erase information stored in an oldest debug memory block and copy data from the control block to the oldest debug memory block.