SSD Namespace Re-sizing via Controller Address Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-state drives (SSDs) face limitations in flexibility for resizing logical address namespaces, leading to inefficient data management and potential data corruption or loss when increasing namespace size, as existing methods require data relocation across unallocated clusters.
Innovation Solution
A controller-based system that uses look-up tables to convert logical addresses to physical addresses, allowing for dynamic resizing of namespaces by allocating or deallocating storage units, and reordering entries in the look-up table to maintain contiguous namespace identifiers, thereby avoiding data relocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional namespace resizing methods are used, then namespace size can be changed, but data must be relocated across unallocated clusters which causes data corruption or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component between the host system and the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device. The controller manages namespace resizing operations by interceptting resize commands, updating the translation lookaside buffer (TLB) entries, and coordinating the remapping of logical addresses to physical addresses without requiring direct data movement between storage locations. This intermediary management ensures data integrity while enabling flexible namespace resizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating unallocated clusters and preparing translation table entries before actual namespace resizing occurs. The controller updates the translation lookaside buffer with new logical-to-physical address mappings in advance, so when namespace resize operations are executed, the data remains stationary while the address translations are already prepared, preventing data corruption or loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If namespace size is increased, then storage capacity is expanded, but data relocation is required which reduces operation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical data relocation process with a logical address translation mechanism. Instead of physically moving data blocks when namespace size changes, the system uses a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) that stores logical-to-physical address mappings. The controller updates these translation entries to reflect the new namespace boundaries, allowing data to remain in place while logical addresses are remapped, thereby maintaining high-speed operation during namespace resizing.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed namespace allocation is used, then data management is simple, but storage efficiency decreases when host requirements change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic namespace allocation that allows namespace sizes to be adjusted based on host requirements. The controller maintains translation lookaside buffer entries that can be dynamically updated to reflect changes in namespace boundaries. When the host needs more or less storage capacity, the controller remaps the logical address space by updating TLB entries, enabling flexible adaptation while maintaining simple data management through centralized controller coordination.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex address translation mechanisms are implemented, then namespace flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address translation process into two distinct components: a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) for rapid address translation and a backend mapping structure for comprehensive namespace management. The TLB stores frequently accessed logical-to-physical address mappings and can be quickly updated during namespace resizing operations. This segmentation allows the complex address translation logic to be isolated in the controller's TLB management, keeping the storage device itself relatively simple while achieving high namespace flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device capable of namespace re-sizing comprises a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device containing data accessed via a logical address that includes a namespace identifier and a logical block address, and a controller. The storage device can convert the namespace identifier to a base address using a first look up table. The storage device can further convert the logical block address to namespace allocation units of storage. The storage device can also determine a pointer using the base address, the namespace allocation units, and a second look up table. Further, the storage device can determine a full logical cluster address using the pointer.