SSD Off-Time Tracker for Voltage Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SSD systems face increased memory command latency due to uncertainty in voltage settings after power loss, as they lack information on the timing of recent writes, leading to safer voltage settings or nominal wait times, which reduce system responsiveness.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an off-time tracker that determines appropriate voltage settings based on the duration of power interruption, using a backup power source and logic to select between different voltage settings after power restoration, ensuring timely operations and improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the SSD uses safer voltage settings or nominal wait times after power loss, then reliability is improved, but memory command latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmemory command latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The off-time tracker continuously monitors and records the time elapsed since the last power loss event before power is restored. This preliminary tracking action allows the SSD to immediately know the off-time duration when power returns, eliminating the need to use conservative default wait times and enabling immediate use of optimal voltage settings, thus reducing memory command latency while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the off-time tracker provides real-time information about the power interruption duration to the voltage selection logic. This feedback loop enables the SSD to dynamically adjust voltage settings based on actual off-time measurements rather than using fixed conservative settings, resolving the contradiction between reliability and latency by making informed voltage selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the SSD uses nominal wait times after power loss, then reliability is improved, but system responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidsystem responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The off-time tracker performs preliminary monitoring of power interruption duration before power restoration occurs. By having this information ready in advance, the SSD can immediately select appropriate voltage settings upon power return, eliminating the need for delayed conservative wait periods and thereby maintaining high system responsiveness without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3705979B1SSD restart based on off-time tracker
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 INTEL CORP
  • EP3705979B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3705979B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3705979B1 patent drawingFigure 3C

AI summary

An embodiment of a semiconductor apparatus for use with a persistent storage media may include technology to detect a power interruption event, and track an amount of off-time for a persistent storage media after the detected power interruption event. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.