Storage Controller Multi-Channel Parallel Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage devices face bottlenecks in execution speed due to limitations in accessing nonvolatile memory devices, particularly in handling large data requests, which can lead to increased direct memory access times and reduced operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A storage device architecture that includes a controller capable of splitting access requests into smaller units and transmitting them across multiple channels, forming a super channel to enable parallel data access across nonvolatile memory devices with similar operating characteristics, thereby reducing direct memory access time and improving speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If access requests are transmitted through a single channel to nonvolatile memory devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the direct memory access time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect memory access timeVSAvoidcontroller architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller divides a single access request into multiple sub-requests and distributes them across multiple channels (first channel, second channel, etc.). Each channel independently transmits sub-requests to different nonvolatile memory devices, enabling parallel processing and reducing overall access time despite increased controller complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple channels are used for parallel access to nonvolatile memory devices, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidcontroller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from single-channel sequential access to multi-channel parallel access by adding a channel dimension. The controller manages multiple channels (first channel, second channel, etc.) that operate simultaneously, enabling concurrent data retrieval from multiple nonvolatile memory devices and significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Speed

If large data requests are handled through a single channel, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the execution speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution speedVSAvoidrequest handling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Large data requests are automatically segmented into smaller sub-requests that can be transmitted through multiple channels in parallel. The controller manages this segmentation transparently, maintaining ease of operation for the host while achieving higher execution speed through parallel processing of the divided requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11287992B2Controller and storage device including controller and nonvolatile memory devices

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A storage device includes nonvolatile memory devices arranged in groups, and a controller connected with the groups respectively through channels. The controller is configured to generate an access request for a nonvolatile memory device among the nonvolatile memory devices, and transmit, based on the access request, access requests respectively to two or more groups, among the groups, respectively through two or more channels, among the channels.