SSD Pre-Read Buffering for Concurrent Read and Erase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-state drives (SSDs) face challenges in improving performance and reducing cost while managing concurrent read and erase operations, leading to reliability issues and reduced system yield due to frequent suspension and resumption of erase operations.
Innovation Solution
Perform a pre-read operation to copy likely data to a memory register before initiating an erase operation, allowing concurrent execution of read and erase operations by fulfilling read requests from the register without interrupting the erase operation, using internal or external memory registers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional SSDs suspend erase operations to fulfill read requests, then read requests can be fulfilled accurately, but erase operations are frequently interrupted causing reliability issues and reduced system yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-read operation before the erase operation to identify and copy data that is likely to be requested during the erase operation. This advance preparation allows the system to fulfill read requests without suspending the erase operation, thereby improving reliability and system yield while maintaining erase operation productivity.
2Reliability
If read requests are fulfilled by suspending erase operations, then data accuracy is maintained, but memory cell degradation increases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
By performing the pre-read operation in advance, the system prepares the data in the memory register before the erase operation begins. This allows read requests to be fulfilled from the register without suspending the erase operation, maintaining data accuracy while reducing operation latency and memory cell degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a memory register as an intermediary between the NVM media and the read request fulfillment process. Data is copied to this intermediate storage before the erase operation, allowing read requests to be served from the register without directly interrupting the erase operation on the NVM media, thus reducing latency and degradation.
3Reliability
If pre-read operation is performed to enable concurrent read and erase execution, then system reliability improves, but additional memory register requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the memory register multi-functional by using it for both the pre-read operation (storing data for potential read requests) and as a buffer during erase operations. This universal use of the same memory register structure reduces the need for additional dedicated memory components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while enabling concurrent read and erase operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state drive capable of executing a read operation concurrent with executing an erase operation, and a method of executing a read operation concurrent with executing an erase operation in a solid-state drive. A first portion of stored data that has been predicted (based on, e.g., recency of storage, frequency of access, relevancy to other operations) to be the subject of a potential read request is identified, and that data is copied to a page buffer. Subsequently, while executing an erase operation involving second data, an actual read request is received involving a third portion of stored data. The read request is executed without suspending the erase operation when the third portion of stored data is included in the first portion of stored data in the page buffer, and the erase operation is suspended to execute the read operation when the third portion of stored data is not included.