SSD Media Scan Scheduling for Lower Active Idle Power

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Memory devices experience increased active idle power consumption due to frequent media scan operations, which can lead to inefficient power usage and potential data loss, particularly in high-capacity SSDs, as existing power-saving mechanisms compromise drive functionality and data integrity.

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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frequent media scan operations are performed to maintain data integrity, then data retention is improved, but active idle power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidactive idle power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic media scan operations with configurable intervals instead of continuous scanning. The controller can schedule scan operations at optimized time points when power consumption can be minimized, allowing the system to balance data integrity requirements with power savings during active idle states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts scan operation parameters including interval timing, duration, and frequency based on power state, temperature, and workload conditions. This allows the system to perform comprehensive scans when power is available and reduce scan intensity during low-power states, resolving the contradiction between thorough scanning and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If power-saving mechanisms are activated to reduce active idle power, then energy efficiency is improved, but drive functionality and data integrity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactive idle powerVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary media scan operations before transitioning to deep power-saving states. By completing necessary scanning tasks in advance, the system ensures data integrity is verified before entering low-power modes, allowing aggressive power-saving mechanisms to be used without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor media health status, error rates, and power state conditions. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the balance between power-saving operations and media scan intensity, ensuring that power-saving mechanisms do not compromise data integrity while maximizing energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12504896B2Media scan method to reduce active idle power of memory devices

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

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.