SSD Controller Log Buffering for Firmware Debug Without I/O Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outputting log information through the serial port during SSD firmware debugging significantly reduces I/O performance, making timing-related problems difficult to reproduce.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a buffer and interface circuit to temporarily store log information, allowing for its extraction via PCIe or UART, and using NVMe VU commands to manage log data transfer without real-time transmission, thereby maintaining I/O performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If log information is output through the serial port during SSD firmware debugging, then log information can be recorded and output, but I/O performance is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the log information output function from the main I/O path by providing a dedicated buffer memory and interface circuit specifically for log data. This separates the log output operation from the regular data I/O operations, allowing them to proceed independently without interfering with each other, thus maintaining I/O performance while enabling log information output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer memory as an intermediary component between the firmware and the interface circuit for log output. This buffer acts as a mediator that temporarily stores log information, allowing the firmware to continue processing I/O operations without waiting for serial port output, thereby preventing the serial port from becoming a bottleneck for I/O performance.
2Loss of information
If log information is output in real-time through the serial port, then log information can be transmitted, but timing-related problems cannot be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by buffering log information in memory before outputting it through the interface circuit. This allows log data to be captured and stored at the exact timing when it is generated during firmware operation, preserving the timing characteristics of I/O operations. The log information is then output separately without affecting the original timing of the I/O operations, enabling accurate reproduction of timing-related problems.
3Productivity
If a buffer and interface circuit are implemented for log storage and retrieval, then I/O performance is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the buffer memory and interface circuit to serve multiple functions: they can buffer log information from multiple cores, support both volatile and non-volatile storage options, and provide direct memory access capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining I/O performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides controllers, hosts, methods of operating a controller, and methods of operating a host. An example controller includes a controller processor, an interface circuit and a buffer. The interface circuit is coupled to the buffer. Wherein the buffer is configured to buffer log information generated during the running of the firmware by the controller processor. The interface circuit is configured to: obtain the log information generated during the running of the firmware from the buffer, output the log information to a host.