SSD Control Device Interface Detection and Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solid state drives (SSDs) fail to adaptively change configuration when switching between SATA and PCI-Express interfaces or when replaced, leading to issues with establishing a normal link with the host, due to the host's inability to detect changes in voltage levels or incompatible port configurations.

Innovation Solution

An SSD control device and method that includes a multi-interface compatible physical layer circuit to detect differential signals from the host, generate level detecting signals, and count pulses to determine the interface type, allowing the SSD to adapt its operation mode accordingly, supporting multiple interfaces such as SATA, PCI-Express, and USB.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the host detects voltage level to appoint port configuration, then compatibility is improved, but the host cannot detect changes after configuration is complete, leading to link establishment failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidlink establishment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the host detect the interface type and configure accordingly, the patent inverts the detection role to the SSD device side. The SSD actively detects differential signals from the host and determines interface type (SATA or PCI-Express) through signal characteristics, then adapts its operation mode accordingly. This ensures the device can reliably establish links regardless of host configuration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the SSD continuously monitors differential signals from the host and adapts its operation mode based on detected signal characteristics. This feedback loop ensures that the SSD can dynamically adjust to the correct interface mode, maintaining reliable link establishment even when the host cannot detect voltage level changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the SSD operates in a predetermined mode, then operation stability is improved, but compatibility with incompatible host configurations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation mode stabilityVSAvoidinterface compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the SSD's operation mode dynamic rather than fixed. The device detects differential signals from the host and automatically adjusts its operation mode (SATA or PCI-Express) based on signal characteristics. This dynamic adaptation allows the SSD to maintain stable operation in the detected interface mode while simultaneously achieving broad compatibility across different host configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10909047B2Flash memory control device capable of detecting type of interface and method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 RAYMX MICROELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

The present invention discloses a solid state drive (SSD) control device including: a multi-interface compatible physical layer circuit operable to generate a physical layer output signal according to a serializer/deserializer (SerDes) reception signal; and a processing circuit operable to make the solid state drive control device adapt to one of several interface types in accordance with the physical layer output signal.