Storage Device External Energy Scaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage devices face limitations in performance during power loss events due to limited internal backup energy, leading to suboptimal data write operations and potential data loss, especially when multiple write streams are active.
Innovation Solution
A system that adjusts performance metrics based on available external backup energy, allowing for more efficient data storage operations by determining and utilizing external power resources to extend the operational window beyond internal energy reserves, thereby supporting more streams and larger data writes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the data storage device operates with limited internal backup energy during power loss events, then the device can maintain simple architecture and lower cost, but the performance and reliability of data write operations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines internal backup energy resources with external backup energy resources from a power supply device to form a hybrid backup energy system. This merging allows the data storage device to leverage both its own internal energy reserves and external power sources, thereby improving data write operation reliability during power loss events without requiring a completely complex standalone backup system.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply device acts as an intermediary between the external power source and the data storage device. It receives indications of available backup energy from external devices and communicates this information to the data storage device, enabling the storage device to adjust its performance metrics accordingly. This intermediary simplifies the architecture by externalizing the backup energy management complexity.
2Device complexity
If the data storage device uses only internal backup energy during power loss, then the device architecture remains simple, but the operational window for completing write operations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time duration provided by internal backup energy with the time duration provided by external backup energy to extend the total operational window. By combining these energy sources, the device can maintain operations for a longer period during power loss events, allowing more time to complete critical write operations without requiring complex internal energy management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of external backup energy availability before a power loss event occurs. The host device determines the amount of backup energy available from external devices and communicates this information to the data storage device in advance, allowing the storage device to pre-adjust its performance metrics and prepare for extended operational window requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the data storage device limits performance metrics during normal operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but data storage throughput and efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of performance metrics based on real-time assessment of external backup energy availability. The data storage device can operate at high performance levels during normal power availability when external backup energy is confirmed to be available, and dynamically scale back performance only when necessary. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between energy consumption and data storage throughput rather than using static performance limiting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as IOPS rates, write buffer sizes, and cache policies based on the availability of external backup energy. When external backup energy is available, the device can maintain aggressive write caching and higher IOPS rates, knowing that power loss can be mitigated. When external backup energy is unavailable, the device adjusts parameters to be more conservative, reducing energy consumption while maintaining acceptable performance.
4Reliability
If the data storage device assumes worst-case power loss scenario, then reliability is maintained, but performance during normal operation deteriorates due to conservative settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the data storage device receives information about external backup energy availability from the host device and adjusts its performance metrics accordingly. This feedback loop allows the system to operate at optimal performance levels when external backup energy is available, while automatically adjusting to conservative settings only when the feedback indicates power loss or unavailability of external backup energy. This eliminates the need for permanently conservative settings while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of external backup energy availability before power loss events occur. The host device assesses the backup energy capacity of external devices and communicates this information to the data storage device in advance, allowing the storage device to configure its operations optimally for the actual power environment rather than assuming worst-case scenarios. This preliminary action enables high performance while maintaining reliability based on actual conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for data storage performance scaling based on external energy. In certain embodiments, a system may comprise a data storage device having an interface to communicate with an external device, a nonvolatile memory, and a circuit. The circuit may be configured to receive an indication via the interface of power resources available to the data storage device from the external device in case of a power loss event, adjust a performance metric of the data storage device to apply when accessing the nonvolatile memory during normal power availability based on the indication, and perform operations during normal power availability based on the performance metric.