Storage Controller Latency Measurement via Time Difference Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor data storage devices lack accurate latency measurement capabilities for command processing, which is crucial for optimizing performance and efficiency in data storage operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a controller in the data storage device that generates and stores task-related information, including time differences from command receipt to task completion, allowing for the transfer of processing time information to external elements, enabling accurate latency checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a controller is added to generate and store task information with time differences, then latency measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only controls the nonvolatile memory device but also generates task information, measures time differences, and transfers state information to the host device. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated latency measurement hardware, thus improving measurement capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the controller transfers state information including time information to the host device, then latency checking accuracy is improved, but information transfer overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary latency measurement information (time differences and task completion status) from the complete operation log and transfers this condensed state information to the host device. This selective extraction approach provides accurate latency measurement data while minimizing the volume of information transferred, thereby reducing transfer overhead.
3Loss of time
If the controller generates and stores task information for each command, then command processing latency is improved, but storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller extracts and stores only the essential latency-related parameters (time difference from command receipt to task generation, and time difference from task execution command to completion) rather than storing complete command processing logs. This selective storage approach provides the necessary latency data for performance optimization while minimizing the storage space consumed.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device may include: a nonvolatile memory; and a controller configured to control an operation of the nonvolatile memory. When a command is received from a host, the controller transfers first state information as a response to the command to the host, the first state information including first time information indicating time difference from when the command is received to when a task corresponding to the command is generated and stored. When a task execution command is received from the host, the controller transfers second state information as a response to the task execution command to the host, the second state information including second time information indicating time difference from when the task execution command is received to when the task is completed.