SSD Buffer Management Using Host Memory for Data Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Solid State Disks (SSDs) have limited buffer capacity, which restricts their storage performance and data access hit rate due to insufficient buffer space, affecting overall SSD performance and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A data storage method that utilizes both an inherent SSD buffer and a buffer in an external electronic device memory to dynamically allocate and adjust storage space based on data access frequency and device state, optimizing data caching and storage by transferring data between these buffers to enhance reading speed and extend storage medium lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the buffer capacity of the SSD is increased to improve storage performance and data access hit rate, then the storage performance is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the SSD's internal buffer with the host device's memory resource to form a unified buffer space. The controller manages both buffers as a single logical entity, allowing data to be cached in either location based on availability and access patterns. This combination achieves the effect of increased buffer capacity without physically expanding the SSD's internal buffer, thus improving storage performance while avoiding the complexity and cost of larger onboard buffers.
Solution Approach 2:
The host device's memory is given a dual function: serving both as the system's working memory and as an extended buffer for the SSD. By enabling the host memory to perform buffer functions in addition to its primary role, the system achieves increased buffering capacity without adding dedicated components, thereby improving productivity while maintaining device simplicity.
2Speed
If data is cached in the SSD's inherent buffer to improve access speed, then the reading speed is improved, but the buffer space is limited and cannot meet storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the buffer space from a single-dimension internal SSD buffer to a two-dimensional buffer architecture that includes both the SSD's internal buffer and the host device's memory. This dimensional expansion allows the system to maintain fast access speeds for frequently used data in the SSD buffer while utilizing the host memory as an extended buffer space for less frequently accessed data, effectively solving the buffer space limitation without compromising reading speed.
3Quantity of substance
If the buffer space is expanded using external memory to improve storage capacity, then the buffer space is increased, but the data transfer time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SSD controller acts as an intermediary that intelligently manages data placement and transfer between the SSD buffer and host memory. By implementing smart caching algorithms and prefetching mechanisms, the controller minimizes the frequency and volume of data transfers between the two buffers. Frequently accessed data is kept in the SSD buffer for rapid access, while less frequently accessed data is stored in the host memory, thereby expanding buffer space while keeping data transfer time to acceptable levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage method and a solid state disk (SSD) are provided. The method comprises: obtaining, by the SSD, target data; determining a target buffer for storing the target data between a first buffer and a second buffer based on a data type of the target data, wherein the first buffer is a buffer preset in a memory of an electronic device which includes the SSD, and the second buffer is an inherent buffer in the SSD; and caching the target data into the target buffer. The method further includes: obtaining state information of the electronic device, wherein the state information indicates a current status of the electronic device, and includes a utilization rate of a central processing unit of the electronic device; determining whether a status of the electronic device has changed, based on the state information, to obtain a determination result; and transferring first data from the second buffer to a specified region in a storage medium of the SSD, or from the specified region in the storage medium to the second buffer, according to the determination result, wherein the storage medium is a flash memory in the SSD.