Storage Controller Power Loss Backup via SRAM and Low-Power Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-capacity and high-performance storage devices face challenges in reliable data backup due to limited energy from auxiliary power sources, leading to incomplete backups and reduced reliability, especially as data volume increases.
Innovation Solution
A data backup method and storage device design that includes a power loss prevention circuit, a storage controller, nonvolatile memory devices, and a buffer memory, which detects power-off events, moves data to static random access memory (SRAM), and sets nonvolatile memory devices to a minimum power mode for efficient data backup using auxiliary power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data backup is performed using auxiliary power source when external power fails, then data can be preserved, but the limited energy from auxiliary power source results in incomplete backup and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting power-off events before complete power loss occurs, initiating backup operations while the auxiliary power source is still functional. The storage controller identifies impending power failure conditions and starts transferring data from buffer memory to nonvolatile memory devices before the auxiliary power is depleted, ensuring critical data is preserved while energy is still available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching from normal write operations to emergency backup mode when power failure is detected. This involves changing the interleaving mode of nonvolatile memory devices to optimize for low-power operation, adjusting data transfer priorities, and modifying power distribution to critical components only, thereby maximizing backup effectiveness within limited energy constraints.
2Productivity
If storage device capacity and performance are increased, then data handling capability is improved, but the amount of data requiring backup increases, exacerbating the limited auxiliary power situation
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and prioritizes critical data for backup operations when power failure is detected. Instead of attempting to backup all data in the buffer memory, the storage controller identifies and extracts essential data that must be preserved, transferring only this critical subset to nonvolatile memory devices. This selective extraction approach ensures that the most important information is saved within the limited energy and time available during emergency backup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial backup action by focusing on protecting a portion of the data rather than attempting to backup the entire dataset. The storage controller implements a partial backup strategy that targets critical data segments, accepting that not all data will be backed up but ensuring that essential information is preserved. This partial action approach is more realistic given the constraints of auxiliary power capacity.
3Speed
If buffer memory power is maintained during backup operation, then data transfer speed is preserved, but power consumption increases beyond auxiliary power capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by performing data transfer in intensive bursts rather than continuous operation. The storage controller rapidly transfers data from buffer memory to nonvolatile memory devices in concentrated time intervals when auxiliary power is available, then enters low-power states. This periodic transfer approach maximizes data movement during active power windows while minimizing overall energy consumption during the backup process.
Data Source
AI summary
A data backup method of a storage device which includes a storage controller, a buffer memory, and a plurality of nonvolatile memory devices, the method including: detecting a power-off event of an external power provided to the storage device; deactivating a host interface of the storage controller in response to the detection of the power-off event; moving data stored in the buffer memory to a static random access memory (SRAM) in the storage controller; blocking or deactivating a power of the buffer memory; setting an interleaving mode of the plurality of nonvolatile memory devices to a minimum power mode; and programming the data moved to the SRAM to at least one of the plurality of nonvolatile memory devices.