SSD Backplane Thermal Management for Data Retention

Solution Overview

Problem

Solid state drives (SSDs) face data loss due to reduced retention caused by increased temperatures during power-off states, as the retention recovery operation is not performed when the SSD is in a power-off state.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device powers on at least one SSD in a power-off state when a temperature increase is detected, allowing the powered-on SSD to perform a retention recovery operation, thereby preventing data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the SSD is kept in a power-off state to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but temperature increases causing data retention reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling actions before the SSD is completely powered off. The cooling device operates during a transition period to lower the SSD temperature below a threshold level before power interruption, preventing temperature-induced retention degradation while maintaining energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling device acts as an intermediary between the SSD and the environment. This intermediate cooling mechanism actively manages thermal conditions during power-off states, creating a thermal buffer that protects data retention without requiring continuous power supply to the SSD itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the SSD is powered on to maintain data retention, then data retention is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retentionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling actions before the SSD is completely powered off. The cooling device operates during a transition period to lower the SSD temperature below a threshold level before power interruption, preventing temperature-induced retention degradation while maintaining energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling device acts as an intermediary between the SSD and the environment. This intermediate cooling mechanism actively manages thermal conditions during power-off states, creating a thermal buffer that protects data retention without requiring continuous power supply to the SSD itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If the cooling device operates continuously to maintain low temperature, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device operates periodically rather than continuously. It activates during specific transition periods when the SSD is being powered off or on, and remains inactive during stable operational states. This periodic operation maintains temperature control while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3940505B1Electronic device including solid state drive

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device includes: a power supply to supply a first power and a second power; a first solid state drive (SSD) backplane and a second SSD backplane to receive the first power from the power supply, each of the first solid state drive (SSD) backplane and the second SSD backplane including two or more SSDs; and a baseboard to receive the second power from the power supply, to independently power on and power off the first SSD backplane and the second SSD backplane, and to access the SSDs of an SSD backplane that is in a power-on state from among the first SSD backplane and the second SSD backplane. In response to an increase in temperature of an SSD backplane that is in a power-off state, at least one SSD of the SSD backplane that is in the power-off state may be powered on.