SSD Controller Power Domain Segmentation for Flash State Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Solid State Drive (SSD) controllers face high power consumption and wake-up latency due to the need to reset flash devices when powering down and back up, which is both power and time intensive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller that operates in a first power domain for power savings and a second power domain for read/write operations, allowing flash control logic to be powered off and on without resetting the flash devices, using bus keeper or isolation features to maintain the state of flash control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the flash control logic is powered down to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the flash interface enters an unknown state requiring a reset operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the controller into separate power domains: a first power domain for flash control logic and a second power domain for flash devices. This segmentation allows independent power management, enabling the flash control logic to be powered down without affecting the flash device state, thus resolving the contradiction between power reduction and interface reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a power domain isolation mechanism as an intermediary between the flash control logic and flash devices. This isolation layer maintains the flash interface state even when the control logic is powered down, acting as a mediator that preserves reliability while enabling power savings.
2Reliability
If a reset operation is performed on flash devices to ensure proper operation after power down, then reliability is improved, but power consumption and wakeup latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the power domains, the patent eliminates the need for reset operations when transitioning between power states. The flash devices remain in a known good state while the control logic is powered down, removing the time-consuming reset step and reducing wakeup latency while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by ensuring the flash interface is properly configured before powering down the control logic. The power domain isolation pre-establishes the state preservation mechanism, so no reset is needed upon wake-up, thereby reducing wakeup latency while ensuring reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the flash control logic is powered down to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the system cannot process read/write operations until reset complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments power management for control logic and data processing functions into separate power domains. This allows the flash control logic to be powered down for savings while the second power domain remains active to continue processing read/write operations, resolving the contradiction between power reduction and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management where different power domains can be independently powered on or off based on operational needs. The flash control logic can be dynamically powered down when not needed while maintaining the capability to quickly resume operations without full reset, balancing power consumption and productivity dynamically.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a memory and a controller. The memory processes a plurality of read/write operations. The controller (i) operates in a first power domain to control power savings operations, and (ii) processes the read/write operations in a second power domain. The first power domain is isolated from the second domain.