Storage Controller Debugging Log Management via Event Trigger Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor storage devices face challenges in efficiently managing and storing debugging logs, particularly in environments with frequent power cycles, where error analysis is difficult due to lost logs, and existing methods do not effectively capture error information for debugging and data integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a storage controller generates an event trigger signal based on external power supply voltage and configuration control signals to activate the generation and storage of debugging logs in nonvolatile memory, with abnormal events triggering immediate storage and normal events temporarily stored in a buffer for later nonvolatile storage, ensuring efficient logging and analysis even after power cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If debugging logs are continuously stored in nonvolatile memory, then error information is preserved across power cycles, but storage space is wasted and write operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a buffer memory that temporarily stores debugging logs before they are transferred to nonvolatile memory. This preliminary action allows logs to be accumulated and then written to nonvolatile memory in batches rather than continuously, reducing the frequency of write operations while ensuring logs are preserved across power cycles.
2Loss of information
If all events are logged immediately to nonvolatile memory, then no log data is lost during power cycles, but storage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the logging system into two distinct paths: abnormal events are immediately stored in nonvolatile memory to prevent data loss, while normal events are temporarily buffered and stored in batches. This segmentation ensures critical error information is preserved while improving storage efficiency for routine operations.
3Speed
If debugging logs are stored in volatile memory only, then storage operations are fast, but logs are lost during power cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer memory as an intermediary between the fast volatile memory and the reliable nonvolatile memory. The buffer temporarily holds logs during power cycles, allowing fast storage operations while ensuring data is eventually transferred to nonvolatile memory for persistence. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of managing a debugging log in a storage device, an event trigger signal is generated based on an external power supply voltage and a plurality of configuration control signals. The event trigger signal is activated in response to an event of interest being issued for generating and storing the debugging log. The debugging log represents information associated with errors occurring in the storage device. The debugging log is generated based on the event trigger signal. The debugging log is stored in a nonvolatile memory. The event of interest includes at least one of a power up event a reset event, a link up event, a link down event or a power down event.