Storage Controller Map Data Segmentation for Read Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage devices face processing delays and inaccuracies in determining the validity of map information received from a host, which affects read performance and data integrity.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a nonvolatile memory and a controller that divides map data into multiple units, processes read commands by encoding each unit sequentially, and uses a bitmap to manage the validity of map units, allowing for efficient processing and validation of map information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If map data is uploaded sequentially without processing read commands in between, then data integrity is maintained, but read latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides map data into multiple map units before upload and pre-encodes them. This preliminary preparation allows the controller to process read commands during the upload of subsequent map units, reducing read latency while maintaining data integrity through the encoding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments map data into multiple map units (first map unit, second map unit, etc.) that can be uploaded and processed independently. This segmentation enables parallel processing where read commands can be handled during the upload of later segments, resolving the contradiction between sequential integrity and parallel performance.
2Productivity
If map data is processed in parallel to reduce latency, then read performance improves, but accuracy in determining map information validity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a bitmap that provides feedback on the validity status of each map unit. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to accurately determine whether map information is valid even when processing occurs in parallel, resolving the contradiction between parallel performance and validation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The bitmap acts as an intermediary structure that tracks the validity of each map unit independently. This intermediary enables accurate validity determination during parallel processing by providing a reference state for each segmented map unit, allowing performance improvement without sacrificing accuracy.
3Loss of time
If encoding is interrupted to process read commands, then read latency is reduced, but encoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting map data into discrete map units, the patent enables independent encoding and interruption points. Each map unit can be encoded separately, allowing read commands to be processed between units without complicating the overall encoding logic, thus reducing latency while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary encoding of map units before upload. This preliminary action creates well-defined encoding states that can be safely interrupted and resumed, reducing the complexity of managing interruptions compared to mid-encoding interruptions.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes: a nonvolatile memory configured to store map data; and a controller configured to divide map data to be uploaded among the map data into a plurality of map units and to process a normal read command queued in a command queue, after encoding a first map unit of the plurality of map units and before encoding a next map unit, among the plurality of map units, to be encoded after encoding of the first map unit is completed.