Storage Controller Suspending DMA for Read Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices face challenges in providing rapid data output responses, leading to delayed data delivery and degraded user satisfaction and service quality, especially when handling large amounts of data.
Innovation Solution
A storage device configuration that includes multiple memory devices and a controller, where the controller temporarily suspends DMA operations to prioritize read requests, allowing for concurrent data processing and storage in page buffers, ensuring rapid data output without waiting for complete DMA operations to finish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the controller continuously processes DMA operations without interruption, then data transfer efficiency is maintained, but read request response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller detects read requests in advance during ongoing DMA operations and prepares to suspend the DMA operation at appropriate checkpoints. By anticipating the need to service read requests and planning suspension points beforehand, the system can minimize disruption to data transfer while ensuring timely read response. This preliminary detection and planning allows the system to balance both read responsiveness and data transfer efficiency.
2Speed
If the controller suspends DMA operations to service read requests, then read response time decreases, but overall data processing throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the suspension decision based on real-time conditions. It monitors DMA operation progress, identifies optimal suspension checkpoints where data transfer can be paused with minimal impact, and selectively suspends only when necessary to service read requests. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high throughput during normal operation while quickly responding to read requests when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller periodically checks for read requests during DMA operations and suspends at predetermined checkpoints rather than continuously. This periodic monitoring and selective suspension at appropriate intervals allows the system to maintain steady data transfer flow while periodically servicing read requests, thereby balancing throughput and response time.
3Device complexity
If multiple memory devices share the same channel, then device complexity is reduced, but communication availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller segments the communication channel into distinct time slots or operation phases, allowing different memory devices to share the channel without conflict. By dividing the channel usage into separate segments for different devices or operation types, the system maintains simple hardware configuration while ensuring that read operations and DMA operations can be serviced without interference, thus preserving communication availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes a first memory device, a second memory device, and a controller. The first memory device and the second memory device share the same channel to communicate with the controller. Communication between the first memory device and the controller and communication between the second memory device and the controller are mutually exclusive. When the controller receives a read request directed to the second memory device while the controller processes a direct memory access (DMA) operation directed to the first memory device, the controller suspends the DMA operation and transmits a read command associated with the read request to the second memory device.