SSD Beacon Transmission for Data Loss Risk Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state drives (SSDs) equipped with non-volatile semiconductor memory face a risk of data loss due to power disconnection, as existing communication systems lack effective mechanisms to periodically refresh data and alert users before data is lost during prolonged power off or disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a memory system with a controller and non-volatile memory, which transmits beacons to a receiving terminal at regular intervals, providing diagnostic information to assess data loss risk and alert users to reconnect or power on the host before data loss occurs, utilizing a beacon configuration that includes a unique ID, S.M.A.R.T. information, and error detection/correction mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the SSD is disconnected from the host for a long period, then power consumption is reduced, but data loss risk increases due to lack of periodic refresh
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by periodically refreshing data before the SSD is completely disconnected or before data loss occurs. The beacon transmission mechanism proactively monitors data integrity and triggers refresh operations in advance, preventing data loss rather than reacting after disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon contains feedback information about data status and health metrics. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor data integrity continuously and trigger appropriate actions (refresh, alert, or disconnect) based on the actual state of the data, resolving the contradiction between power savings and data protection.
2Reliability
If the host continuously monitors data status, then data loss risk is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SSD performs self-monitoring and self-reporting through the beacon transmission mechanism. The beacon contains self-diagnostic information about data status, health metrics, and refresh needs, eliminating the need for complex host-side monitoring software or additional hardware sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing communication interface between host and SSD is used for multiple purposes: data transfer, status monitoring, and health reporting. The beacon leverages the existing communication infrastructure to provide comprehensive data protection without requiring dedicated monitoring channels or additional complex components.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If additional monitoring functions are added to the host, then data loss detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is shifted from the host to the SSD itself. The beacon is generated and transmitted autonomously by the SSD, containing all necessary diagnostic information. This eliminates the need for additional host-side monitoring functions while maintaining comprehensive data loss detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon acts as an intermediary that carries diagnostic information from the SSD to the host. Instead of the host directly monitoring complex data status parameters, it receives pre-processed beacon messages containing interpreted health metrics, simplifying the host's role while maintaining detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a host, and a memory system including a non-volatile memory and a controller configured to execute operations including writing of data to the non-volatile memory based on a request from the host. Information is transmitted by one of the host or the memory system after a predetermined period has elapsed while power is supplied from the host to the non-volatile memory. The information includes a number for identifying either the host or the memory system that transmitted the information and diagnostic information used for determining if there is a risk of loss of data stored in the non-volatile memory.