Storage Device Data Comparison Write Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor memory devices face challenges in optimizing operating performance, particularly in data write and read speeds, communication speed with external devices, and operating speed of computing devices, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller that compares received data with previously stored data using methods such as reading, error check codes, or hash data, and selectively writes data based on the comparison results, incorporating a random access memory as a buffer for efficient data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is written to nonvolatile memory without comparison, then write speed is improved, but data integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller performs a preliminary comparison operation between the new data to be written and the existing data in nonvolatile memory before executing the write operation. This preliminary action (comparison) ensures data integrity by detecting whether the data is actually updated, preventing unnecessary writes while maintaining write speed through conditional execution
2Reliability
If data comparison is performed before write, then data integrity is improved, but write speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller utilizes the existing read functionality of the memory system to perform the comparison operation, making the system self-servicing. The comparison leverages the same data paths and control logic already present in the memory controller, avoiding the need for separate dedicated comparison hardware and minimizing impact on write speed
3Reliability
If separate read and write operations are used, then operational reliability is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the read and write operations into a single fused operation where the memory controller atomically performs both the comparison (read) and write operations in one coordinated sequence. This merging reduces communication overhead by eliminating separate command cycles and associated protocol handshakes, while maintaining operational reliability through the atomic nature of the combined operation
Data Source
AI summary
The method of operating a storage device includes receiving a command, an address, and data, and comparing data previously stored at a storage space of the nonvolatile memory corresponding to the address with the received data in response to the command. The method includes writing the received data at a nonvolatile memory when the previously stored data is different from the received data. Writing of the received data is terminated when the previously stored data is equal to the received data.