Storage Controller Indicator Data Compression for Memory Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile memory devices face performance degradation and reduced lifespan due to specific threshold voltage states, which existing state shaping and encoding methods fail to effectively manage, leading to increased hardware burden and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A storage controller that employs state shaping encoding and compression of indicator data to reduce the number of target bits corresponding to high-probability threshold voltage states, using a shape encoder and compression circuit to encode and compress data, thereby decreasing the hardware burden on non-volatile memory devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If state shaping encoding is applied to manage threshold voltage states, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the indicator data (metadata about threshold voltage states) from the main data storage function. By identifying and isolating the specific bits that indicate problematic threshold voltage states, the system can apply targeted state shaping encoding only where needed, rather than encoding all data uniformly. This reduces the overall hardware complexity while maintaining reliability improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies state shaping encoding selectively to specific portions of data (indicator data representing threshold voltage states) rather than uniformly to all data. This local application of encoding allows the system to improve reliability for the most critical parameters (threshold voltage state management) while minimizing the hardware burden across the entire system.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the number of target bits for high-probability threshold voltage states is reduced, then memory cell lifespan is extended, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary state shaping encoding on indicator data before data is written to memory cells. By pre-identifying and modifying bits that would lead to high-probability threshold voltage states, the system prevents problematic states from occurring in the first place. This preliminary action extends memory cell lifespan by avoiding stress-inducing threshold voltage states, while the encoding process itself provides the necessary control precision through systematic bit manipulation.
3Device complexity
If compression of indicator data is implemented, then hardware burden is reduced, but loss of information risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies compression algorithms to indicator data, changing the parameter of data representation from uncompressed binary format to compressed format. This reduces the hardware burden by decreasing the amount of data that needs to be processed and stored. The compression is designed to preserve the essential information about threshold voltage states while reducing data volume, thereby maintaining accuracy while lowering hardware requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of operating a storage controller includes receiving raw data indicating a series of bits each corresponding to one of threshold voltage states, performing a first state shaping for reducing a number of first target bits of the series of bits, logical values of the first target bits being equal to a logical value of a target threshold voltage state of the threshold voltage states in a first page of plural pages, generating first indicator data that indicates the first target bits based on the first state shaping, compressing the first indicator data, and storing the compressed first indicator data.