SSD Power Control Manager Command Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Memory devices in solid state drives (SSDs) face limitations in power consumption during operations like read, write, and erase, which can impact performance due to the variability in power requirements of different commands and memory devices.

Innovation Solution

A power control manager analyzes the power profiles of commands in the command queue to select and execute commands in a way that maintains power consumption within specific limits, controlling both average and peak power levels over time, by considering factors such as command type, age, and memory device parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple commands are executed simultaneously to improve productivity, then throughput increases, but power consumption exceeds available power limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand execution throughputVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the command execution schedule based on real-time power availability. The power control manager continuously monitors power profiles of pending commands and modifies the execution timeline to match available power windows, enabling high throughput when power is abundant while preventing overload when power is limited

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides command execution into periodic batches aligned with power availability cycles. Commands are grouped and executed in periods that correspond to power delivery cycles from the power management IC, ensuring that power consumption remains within limits while maintaining steady productivity over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If high power is supplied to execute commands faster, then execution speed increases, but power consumption exceeds available power limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand execution speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes execution parameters (timing, batching, command selection) based on available power levels. When power is limited, the power control manager adjusts parameters to execute fewer commands or spread them over longer periods, maintaining operational speed within power constraints rather than attempting to exceed them

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If power consumption is strictly limited to maintain reliability, then system stability improves, but command execution throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption controlVSAvoidcommand execution throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The power control manager implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors both power consumption and command queue status. When power availability increases, the system automatically increases throughput; when power is limited, it reduces throughput while ensuring commands are eventually executed, thus maintaining reliability without permanently sacrificing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of command power profiles before execution. The power control manager pre-evaluates which commands can be executed within upcoming power windows, allowing the system to maintain high throughput during favorable power conditions while ensuring critical commands are scheduled even during power-constrained periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9472244B2Apparatus power control

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for apparatus power control. A number of embodiments include determining a power profile for each of a number of commands in a command queue that are ready for execution and selecting a portion of the number of commands in the command queue for execution based on the power profiles of the number of commands to control power consumption in the apparatus.