Storage Device High-Speed Link Startup with Proactive Lane Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face challenges in achieving quick link startup between a host and a storage device, particularly in mobile devices, due to the time-consuming nature of low-speed link startup operations, which prolongs the overall initialization process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a high-speed link startup method involving an initialization operation, data communication through multiple lanes, and transmission of a high-speed link up message to facilitate rapid link establishment between the host and storage device, with the storage device initiating the link startup in high-speed mode upon completion of initialization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storage device waits for a response from the host before performing link startup, then reliability is improved, but link startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device performs preliminary initialization operations and prepares the link startup sequence before the host completes its initialization. The storage device transmits the high-speed link up message proactively without waiting for host response, allowing link startup to proceed in advance while maintaining reliability through predefined protocols.
2Reliability
If the storage device performs initialization operations before link startup, then link startup reliability is improved, but initialization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device performs necessary initialization operations in advance before the link startup sequence begins. This includes configuring internal registers, setting up communication protocols, and preparing data structures so that when link startup is initiated, the storage device is already ready to operate in high-speed mode without delays.
3Speed
If the storage device transmits high-speed link up message without waiting for host response, then link startup speed is improved, but communication reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device transmits the high-speed link up message proactively without waiting for host response, and the host acknowledges receipt by proceeding with high-speed link startup operations. This implicit feedback mechanism confirms successful message transmission while maintaining fast startup speed, as the host's subsequent actions serve as validation of the communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A link startup method of a storage device connected to a host through a plurality of lanes includes performing an initialization operation in the storage device; establishing data communication through a connected transmission lane and a connected reception lane among the plurality of lanes; transmitting a high speed link up message to the host through the connected transmission lane of the storage device; and performing a link startup operation in a high speed mode through the connected transmission lane of the storage device and the connected reception lane of the host, based on the high speed link up message transmitted by the storage device.