Storage Host Controller Command Buffer for Sudden Power Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to fully prevent data corruption due to sudden power loss during data programming or erasing in storage devices, particularly in NAND flash memory, due to the risk of interrupted power supply to dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and host systems.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated command buffer within the storage host controller retains pre-configured power-loss protection commands to execute immediately upon detecting a power-loss event, ensuring timely data protection and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional software-based data recovery methods are used, then data corruption can be minimized, but the response time is delayed and data integrity cannot be fully ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads power-loss protection commands into a dedicated command buffer before a power-loss event occurs. When power loss is detected, these pre-prepared commands are immediately executed without requiring software processing or host intervention, thereby eliminating response time delays while ensuring data integrity through immediate execution of protection commands.
2Reliability
If power-down sequence optimization is implemented, then the probability of acquiring corrupted data is decreased, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power-loss protection functionality from the complex software-based power management system and implements it as a dedicated hardware command buffer with automatic execution capability. This separate, specialized component handles power-loss protection independently, reducing the burden on the overall power management system while maintaining effective data corruption prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated command buffer automatically detects power-loss events and executes protection commands without requiring host system intervention or complex power management sequences. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for sophisticated software-based power-down sequencing while maintaining reliable data protection.
3Reliability
If a dedicated command buffer with pre-configured protection commands is implemented, then data integrity is significantly improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dedicated command buffer acts as an intermediary component between the host controller and the storage device. It intercepts power-loss events and automatically executes pre-configured protection commands, mediating between the host system and the storage operations. This intermediary approach protects data integrity without requiring fundamental changes to the existing controller architecture or host system.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use in a host system to control a storage device is provided. The apparatus includes a power-loss detection module, a power-loss handling command buffer and a storage host controller. The power-loss detection module is configured to determine whether a power-loss event occurs according to a level of a supply voltage. The power-loss handling command buffer is configured to store one or more power-loss protection commands. The storage host controller is coupled to the power-loss detection module and the power-loss handling command buffer and configured to execute the one or more power-loss protection commands in the power-loss handling command buffer in response to the power-loss event, thereby to perform one or more specific operations on the storage device.