Write Buffer Controller for SSD Batch Data Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in achieving high write speeds to non-volatile semiconductor storage devices due to the slower write speeds compared to read speeds, especially when writing data in smaller units, which limits overall throughput and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a non-volatile semiconductor storage device, a write buffer memory, and a controller that performs batch writing operations when the data buffer reaches a predetermined amount, optimizing write operations by batching data transfer to match the SSD's sequential write performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data is written to non-volatile semiconductor storage device in smaller units (e.g., one physical page unit), then write operation can be completed with single access, but write speed decreases compared to batch writing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a write buffer that temporarily stores incoming data before writing to the non-volatile semiconductor storage device. This preliminary buffering action allows data to be accumulated and then written in larger batches, achieving higher write speeds while maintaining the simplicity of single-access operations for the storage device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The write buffer acts as an intermediary between the data source and the non-volatile semiconductor storage device. It decouples the data input rate from the write operation rate, allowing data to be received continuously while writes are performed in optimized batches, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and write speed.
2Reliability
If data is written successively in steps of data unit, then data integrity is maintained, but overall throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple small data units accumulated in the write buffer into larger batch writes to the non-volatile semiconductor storage device. This combining approach maintains data integrity through structured batch operations while significantly improving overall throughput by reducing the frequency of write operations and utilizing the storage device's sequential write performance.
3Speed
If batch writing is performed, then write speed increases closer to sequential write performance, but requires buffer memory and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The write buffer serves as an intermediary structure that justifies the added complexity by enabling batch writing operations. The buffer's presence allows the system to achieve write speeds closer to the sequential write performance of the storage device, making the additional complexity worthwhile for the significant speed improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct write operations with a buffered write system that uses control logic to manage batch operations. This substitution of the direct mechanical write process with a controlled buffered approach enables optimization of write speeds while managing the complexity through systematic control of when and how data is written.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a non-volatile semiconductor storage device including a flash memory, a write buffer memory that stores data that is to be stored onto the non-volatile semiconductor storage device, and a controller that performs control to write in a batch onto the non-volatile semiconductor storage device the data stored on the write buffer memory when an amount of the data stored on the write buffer memory reaches a predetermined amount of data.