Storage Controller SerDes Interface for Pad Limitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

As semiconductor technologies become more integrated and miniaturized, pad limitations occur in storage controller substrates, limiting the number of physical connections and affecting the performance of storage devices.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves separately configuring the host interface and media interface circuits of the storage controller and connecting them using a SerDes (Serializer-Deserializer) method, allowing for flexible circuit design and overcoming pad limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the storage controller uses a multi-channel structure with integrated circuits, then the storage performance is improved, but pad limitations occur which restrict the number of physical connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage performanceVSAvoidpad limitation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage controller is divided into separate host interface circuit and media interface circuit, each with dedicated pads. This segmentation allows independent pad allocation for each interface type, eliminating the pad limitation that constrained the multi-channel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A media interface device is introduced as an intermediary component between the host interface device and non-volatile memory devices. This intermediary handles the media interface functions separately, allowing the host interface to have dedicated pads without sharing pad resources with media interface functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the host interface device performs all storage controller functions, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing yield and production cost are negatively affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller structureVSAvoidmanufacturing yield

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The storage controller functions are segmented into host interface circuit and media interface circuit as separate components. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized independently for manufacturing, improving overall yield while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The media interface device is implemented as a separate circuit module that can be independently manufactured and tested. This copying of interface functions to a separate device enables specialized manufacturing processes for each component, improving production efficiency and yield.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If the storage controller integrates all interface functions on a single substrate, then device complexity is reduced, but pad limitations restrict the number of physical connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate integrationVSAvoidnumber of physical connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The interface functions are segmented across multiple separate circuits (host interface circuit and media interface circuit), each with dedicated pads. This segmentation enables more physical connections by allowing independent pad allocation for each interface type without sharing pad resources on a single substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The architecture transitions from a single-substrate integration to a multi-component system connected through inter-chip or inter-substrate connections. This dimensional shift from 2D substrate layout to 3D or modular architecture enables additional physical connections beyond the pad limitations of a single substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach increases the yield of circuit manufacturing and reduces production costs by optimizing the processes for host and media interface devices, while also enhancing the performance of storage devices by addressing pad limitations.

Implementation Method 1

connecting them using a SerDes (Serializer-Deserializer) method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal Serialization:

Data Source

PatentUS20250138942A1Storage device, media interface device of the storage device, and operating method of the media interface device

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a storage device including a plurality of non-volatile memory devices, a host interface device configured to communicate with an external host device through an interface channel, and at least one media interface device connected between the host interface device and the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, the at least one media interface being configured to control the plurality of non-volatile memory devices, wherein the at least one media interface device is further configured to perform an operation offloaded from the host interface device and perform serial communication with the host interface device.