Storage Controller Journal Memory for Block and Byte Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent updating of file systems in auxiliary storage devices for individual modifications or updates of user data leads to increased latency and reduced lifespan due to frequent commit operations involving user data and metadata writing in auxiliary storage.

Innovation Solution

A storage device configuration with a nonvolatile memory device, a dynamic random access memory, and a controller that uses a journal memory region for data modifications, exposing user and journal regions to an external host as block and byte units, allowing for efficient data management and reduced commit latency by dynamically changing segments in a ring buffer manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If commit operations are performed for each instance of writing user data and metadata in auxiliary storage, then data consistency is maintained, but latency increases and lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device divides the storage space into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be independently managed. This segmentation allows the system to process and commit data in smaller units rather than requiring complete commits for all user data and metadata, thereby reducing the time and frequency of full commit operations while maintaining data consistency through structured segment management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a journal region as an intermediary storage area between the volatile memory and the nonvolatile auxiliary storage. The journal stores metadata and user data temporarily before committing to auxiliary storage, allowing the system to batch and optimize commit operations. This intermediary layer reduces the frequency and impact of commit operations on auxiliary storage, lowering latency while preserving data consistency through the journal's structured commit process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If commit operations are performed for each instance of writing user data and metadata in auxiliary storage, then data consistency is maintained, but the lifespan of the storage device decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidlifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous operation by keeping the journal in volatile memory for as long as possible, deferring commits to auxiliary storage until necessary (e.g., when the journal is full or a commit is explicitly requested). This continuous operation model reduces the frequency of write operations to auxiliary storage, thereby extending its lifespan while maintaining data consistency through the journal's persistent storage capability and structured commit mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The journal region serves as an intermediary that absorbs write operations, preventing direct and frequent writes to the auxiliary storage. By funneling all writes through the journal first, the system significantly reduces the number of commit operations to auxiliary storage, thereby extending its operational lifespan while ensuring data consistency through the journal's ordered commit process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the storage device supports both block-based access and memory-mapped access, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess flexibilityVSAvoidcontroller complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device implements a universal interface that supports both block-based access and memory-mapped access through the same controller and journal structure. The controller can interpret access requests in either mode and route them appropriately to the journal region, allowing the system to serve multiple access patterns without requiring separate hardware paths. This multi-functionality approach maintains versatility while managing complexity through unified control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of implementing separate processing paths for block-based and memory-mapped access, the patent inverts the approach by having both access modes converge on the same journal region and commit mechanism. The controller translates both access types into unified journal operations, simplifying the overall architecture by eliminating redundant processing paths while maintaining support for both access methodologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11301331B2Storage device and operating method of storage device

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device, a random access memory that includes a first region and a second region, and a controller that is configured to use the first region of the random access memory as a journal memory for a journal indicating modification of data of the second region, expose a user region of the nonvolatile memory device to an external host device as a first access region of a block unit, and expose the second region of the random access memory to the external host device as both a second access region of the block unit and a third access region of a byte unit.