SSD Media Scan Scheduling for Lower Active Idle Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory devices experience increased active idle power consumption due to frequent media scan operations, which can lead to data degradation and inefficiencies in power management, particularly in high-capacity SSDs.
Innovation Solution
Decouple processors from the input/output read processor to perform media scan operations independently, combine multiple scan operations into burst scans, and transition the I/O path to sleep mode, allowing for extended sleep intervals and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If media scan operations are performed frequently to maintain data integrity, then data reliability is improved, but active idle power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media scan operations by decoupling the I/O read processor from other processors, allowing scan operations to be performed independently. This enables the system to perform necessary data integrity checks while keeping the I/O path in low-power sleep mode, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining data reliability and reducing active idle power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic media scan operations at extended intervals rather than continuous scanning. By performing scans periodically and combining multiple scan operations into burst scans, the system maintains data integrity while significantly reducing the time the I/O path remains active, thereby lowering active idle power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If media scan operations are combined into burst scans to reduce power consumption, then active idle power is reduced, but scan operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple media scan operations into burst scans that are executed together. By combining sequential scan operations into a single burst operation, the system reduces the total time the I/O path is active, thereby reducing active idle power consumption. The decoupled processor architecture simplifies the implementation of this merging by allowing independent coordination of scan operations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If I/O path transitions to sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then active idle power is reduced, but data integrity verification is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data integrity verification function from the I/O path by implementing separate media scan operations that can execute independently. This allows the I/O path to transition to sleep mode for power savings while the decoupled processors continue to perform data integrity checks, eliminating the trade-off between power consumption and verification timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs media scan operations as preliminary actions before data integrity issues arise. By proactively scanning and verifying data at extended intervals through burst scans, the system ensures data integrity is maintained without requiring the I/O path to remain active, thus achieving both power savings and reliable verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing active idle power is a memory device includes incrementing, by a first processing device, a first counter when no read or write requests are received from a host system within a first predetermined period of time, and in response to determining that the first counter has reached a first predetermined threshold value, transitioning to a sleep mode. The method also includes incrementing, by a second processing device, a second counter when no read or write requests are received from the host system within a second predetermined period of time, and in response to determining that the second counter has reached a second predetermined threshold value, transitioning to the sleep mode.