Storage Controller Data Compression for Flash Memory Lifespan
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lifespan of semiconductor storage media, such as NAND flash memory, is limited by the number of data rewrites, and existing data storage devices do not effectively manage data capacity to prolong device lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A controller is used to compress and decompress data in a data storage device, converting data into cluster units that are optimally written and read across multiple pages, with error correction, to minimize data written and extend storage medium lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data is written directly to the semiconductor storage medium without compression, then the writing process is simple and fast, but the amount of data written increases, reducing the lifespan of the storage medium
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs data compression in advance before writing data to the semiconductor storage medium. By pre-compressing the data in the buffer memory, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be written to the storage medium, thereby extending its lifespan while maintaining efficient write operations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If data is compressed before writing to the storage medium, then the amount of data written is reduced, extending storage medium lifespan, but the processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the host device and the semiconductor storage medium. It includes a buffer memory and compression processing unit that handle data compression transparently, shielding the host from the complexity of compression operations while reducing the data volume written to the storage medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The data storage device performs self-service by automatically compressing data before writing it to the storage medium. The controller monitors write operations and applies compression independently, managing the storage medium's lifespan without requiring external intervention or complex host-side processing.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If data is compressed before writing to the storage medium, then the amount of data written is reduced, extending storage medium lifespan, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression processing operates continuously in the background as data is received from the host. The controller maintains a buffer that allows compression to proceed without interrupting the overall data flow, ensuring that the useful action of data storage continues uninterrupted while extending storage medium lifespan through compression.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a controller includes a write control unit configured to make a control that converts data requested to be written by an external device into pieces of cluster data with a size of a cluster of a storage medium, compresses each piece of cluster data, determines a corresponding physical address of a write destination in the storage medium according to a predetermined rule, and writes the compressed pieces of cluster data to the storage medium using the physical address of the write destination. The write control unit also makes a control that writes a correspondence between the physical address and a corresponding logical address to a storage unit. The controller also includes a read control unit configured to a control that reads a piece of cluster data from the storage medium using an acquired physical address, and decompresses the read piece of cluster data.