Storage Controller Multi-Phase Command Responses for Host Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices using nonvolatile memory face challenges in efficiently transmitting multiple responses for a single command to the host, limiting the flexibility and efficiency of communication.
Innovation Solution
The storage device employs a controller to transmit one or more preceding responses for a first type command and a command completion response, maintaining second type commands in a memory region until the first type command is completed, allowing for multiphase completion responses to be sent to the host.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a logical interface standard allowing one completion response per command is used, then communication simplicity is maintained, but the ability to transmit multiple responses for one command is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The completion response is segmented into multiple phases: a first completion response transmitted immediately when the command is received, and a second completion response transmitted later when processing is complete. This segmentation allows multiple responses for a single command while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying interface protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device transmits the first completion response in advance when the command is received, before the processing is complete. This preliminary action enables the host to prepare for subsequent operations while the storage device completes its processing in the background.
2Productivity
If multiple responses for one command are transmitted, then communication efficiency is improved, but the complexity of command processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The command processing is segmented into two distinct phases with corresponding responses: immediate processing (first completion response) and complete processing (second completion response). This segmentation improves communication efficiency by providing timely feedback while keeping the processing logic manageable through clear phase separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device maintains continuous processing of the command after transmitting the first completion response, ensuring that the second completion response can be transmitted promptly when processing completes. This continuity ensures efficient communication without unnecessary delays.
3Reliability
If the storage device waits for command completion before transmitting response, then processing accuracy is ensured, but system responsiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The response transmission is segmented into two stages: the first completion response is transmitted immediately upon command receipt, and the second completion response is transmitted after processing completes. This segmentation ensures processing accuracy for the second response while maintaining system responsiveness through the immediate first response.
Solution Approach 2:
The first completion response is transmitted as a preliminary action when the command is received, before processing is complete. This allows the system to respond immediately to the host while still ensuring processing accuracy through the subsequent second completion response that confirms final processing status.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, in response to receiving, from a host, one or more second type commands, a controller of the storage device maintains the received one or more second type commands in a memory region in the storage device without completing processing of the received one or more second type commands. In response to receiving the first type command from the host, the controller completes processing of a second type command, and transmits a command completion response for the first type command to the host as a first preceding response for the first type command. In response to completion of processing of the first type command, the controller transmits a command completion response for the first type command to the host.