Storage Device Garbage Collection via Valid Data Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage devices face inefficiencies in garbage collection processes, particularly in identifying suitable victim and target blocks for data migration, leading to suboptimal performance and increased operational times.
Innovation Solution
The storage device employs a memory controller that compares the amount of valid data in first memory blocks to a reference value, transferring valid data from victim blocks to target blocks within the over-provisioning area, where target blocks store fewer bits, thereby optimizing garbage collection by selecting appropriate blocks based on available free space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If garbage collection is performed frequently to maintain storage device performance, then data migration speed improves, but operational time and system resources are consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller autonomously identifies victim blocks and target blocks, and performs data migration without requiring host intervention. The system monitors its own state (valid data counts, block availability) and executes garbage collection operations independently, reducing unnecessary operations and optimizing performance automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts garbage collection operations based on the valid data count parameter. When the valid data count in a block falls below a threshold, the block is identified as a victim block. The system changes operational parameters (selecting target blocks, determining migration priority) based on real-time storage device state, optimizing the balance between maintaining performance and reducing operational overhead.
2Quantity of substance
If blocks with more bits are used as target blocks for data migration, then data capacity is maximized, but garbage collection operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different selection criteria for different storage regions. In the over-provisioning area, blocks are selected as targets based on their capacity to receive data efficiently. The system considers the local characteristics of each block (whether it's in user area or over-provisioning area, its current data state) and makes targeted decisions about which blocks to use as victims and which to use as targets, optimizing both capacity utilization and operational speed.
3Quantity of substance
If the storage device uses multi-bit memory cells (n≥2) for first memory blocks, then storage capacity is increased, but garbage collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory device into distinct segments: first memory blocks (multi-bit, n≥2) for user data storage and second memory blocks (single-bit or lower capacity) for target block operations. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the high capacity of multi-bit cells while using simpler blocks for garbage collection operations, thereby reducing overall system complexity during data migration while maintaining high storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein may be a storage device and a method of operating the same. The storage device may include a memory device and a memory controller. The memory device may include first memory blocks and second memory blocks. The memory controller may be configured to control the memory device so that valid data stored in a victim block, among the first memory blocks, is stored in a target block, among the second memory blocks, based on a result of a comparison between an amount of valid data stored in the victim block and a reference value. Each of the first memory blocks may include memory cells each configured to store n bits, where n is a natural number of 2 or more. Each of the second memory blocks may include memory cells each configured to store m bits, where m is a natural number less than n.