SSD Power Management Module for Dynamic Storage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Solid State Disks (SSDs) face high power consumption issues, leading to reduced battery duration in portable devices like notebook computers, as they lack effective power management strategies to optimize energy use.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power management module within the SSD that dynamically controls the power supply state of data storage modules, switching to a non-operating power supply state when idle or after operations are completed, and employing power management settings such as all-uninterruptable, partly-uninterruptable, or automatic modes to minimize power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If SSD data storage modules are continuously powered to ensure fast access speed, then read-write performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread-write access speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by switching data storage modules between working state (powered) and idle state (unpowered) based on access requirements. The control unit determines whether to power on specific modules based on predicted access patterns, enabling the system to adapt its power consumption dynamically rather than maintaining continuous power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic power cycling of data storage modules, where modules are powered on only when needed for data operations and powered off during idle periods. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining operational readiness when data access is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If SSD data storage modules are powered off to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but access speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidread-write access speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary actions by predicting future data access patterns and proactively powering on data storage modules before actual access occurs. This anticipatory power management ensures that modules are ready when needed, minimizing the performance impact of power cycling while maintaining low power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the power state of data storage modules based on real-time and predicted access patterns. By using algorithms to forecast which modules will be accessed next, the system can pre-power them up, thus reducing the latency penalty associated with cold starts while still benefiting from power savings during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If SSD manufacturers focus on improving capacity and performance, then storage capability is enhanced, but power management is neglected leading to higher average power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaverage power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SSD into multiple independent data storage modules that can be individually powered on or off. This segmentation allows the system to power only the necessary portion of the storage capacity at any given time, rather than powering the entire drive, thus reducing average power consumption while maintaining full storage capacity availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of data storage modules by switching between different power states (powered on/off). This parameter change enables the SSD to maintain large storage capacity while dynamically adjusting power consumption based on actual usage patterns, addressing the contradiction between capacity and power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8195971B2Solid state disk and method of managing power supply thereof and terminal including the same

Publication Date: 2012.06.05 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD

AI summary

A solid state disk and a method for managing power supply of the solid state disk and a terminal including the solid state disk. The solid state disk includes at least one data storage module for storing data, a management module for controlling data operation for said data storage module, controlling said data storage module as an operating power supply state when said data storage module is performing the data operation, and controlling said data storage module as a non-operating power supply state at other times. The data storage module may be enabled as the operating power supply state only when the data operation is performed for a certain data storage module, and the data storage module may be set as the non-operating power supply state when it is in the idle state or after the data operation is completed. Thus, the power consumption of the solid state disk is effectively saved, and the duration of the notebook computer which applies the solid state disk is prolonged.