Storage Controller Volatile Memory Power Loss Setting Value Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage devices face challenges in reliably saving setting values during power outages, leading to potential data loss and reduced non-volatile memory lifespan due to frequent writing operations.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with a volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and auxiliary power source that initiates a setting process to store setting values in volatile memory and transfers them to non-volatile memory before auxiliary power depletion, reducing the frequency of data writing and extending non-volatile memory lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If setting values are frequently written to non-volatile memory to ensure data safety during power outages, then reliability of setting value storage is improved, but the lifespan of non-volatile memory deteriorates due to increased write operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of setting value storageVSAvoidlifespan of non-volatile memory

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting power outage conditions and initiating a setting process to transfer setting values from volatile memory to non-volatile memory before the auxiliary power source is depleted. This ensures that setting values are saved during power outages without requiring frequent write operations under normal conditions, thereby extending non-volatile memory lifespan while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If setting values are stored in volatile memory for fast access, then operation speed is improved, but data loss occurs during power outages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoidsetting value loss

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains setting values in volatile memory for fast access during normal operation. When a power outage is detected, the system preliminarily transfers these setting values to non-volatile memory before auxiliary power depletion, preventing data loss while maintaining operational speed during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the auxiliary power source is used to maintain operation during power outages, then reliability is improved, but the window for saving data becomes limited by auxiliary power duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation continuity during power outagesVSAvoidtime window for data saving

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects power outage conditions and immediately initiates the setting process to transfer setting values to non-volatile memory. By performing this action preliminarily while auxiliary power is still available, the system ensures data is saved within the limited time window before auxiliary power depletion, maintaining reliability without wasting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10198198B2Storage device that stores setting values for operation thereof

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 KIOXIA CORP

AI summary

A storage device includes a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, an auxiliary power source, and a controller configured to start a setting process to store a setting value in the volatile memory in response to a setting command received from a host, and operate in accordance with one or more setting values stored in the volatile memory. When the controller determines that a main power supply will stop, power from the auxiliary power source starts to be primarily used, and the controller saves at least part of said one or more setting values stored in the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory, before power supply from the auxiliary power source ends.