Data Storage Device Parallel Write Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices face inefficiencies in performing secure write operations, particularly due to conflicts arising from simultaneous orthogonal read and write access, which can lead to errors and require multiple write operations.
Innovation Solution
A data storage device and method that allow parallel writing of word and slice information into overlapping storage elements, with prioritization of one information type over the other to resolve conflicts, using a control unit that manages these operations to minimize errors and optimize write cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simultaneous orthogonal read and write access is implemented in data storage devices, then productivity is improved through parallel operations, but reliability deteriorates due to conflicts between read and write operations on overlapping storage elements
Solution Approach 1:
The storage array is segmented into multiple independent storage slices, each with its own storage elements. This segmentation allows the system to divide write operations into separate slice operations, enabling parallel processing while isolating conflicts to individual slices rather than affecting the entire storage array, thus maintaining reliability during parallel operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of access by organizing storage elements into both word lines and slice lines, creating a two-dimensional access structure. This allows simultaneous read operations on word lines and write operations on slice lines without interference, as they operate on different dimensions of the same storage array, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If multiple write operations are performed to resolve conflicts in overlapping storage elements, then reliability is improved through conflict resolution, but productivity deteriorates due to increased write cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary detection of conflicts between read and write operations on overlapping storage elements before executing the operations. By identifying potential conflicts in advance, the system can resolve them proactively through prioritization logic, ensuring reliability is maintained while avoiding the need for multiple retry write cycles, thus preserving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing prioritization rules that dynamically adjust the execution order of read and write operations based on their type and timing. This parameter change allows the system to resolve conflicts deterministically in a single pass, improving reliability without requiring multiple write cycles that would reduce productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device comprises a plurality of storage elements, each storage element configured for storing a piece of information. The plurality of storage elements is accessible as a plurality of word sets, each word set comprising a set of storage elements, and is accessible as a plurality of slice sets, each slice set comprising a set of storage elements. Each storage element is a part of a word set and a part of a slice set. The device further comprises a control unit configured for obtaining word information and slice information and for executing a write operation to parallelly write the word information into a first word set of the plurality of word sets and the slice information into a first slice set of the plurality of slice sets, wherein the first word set and the first slice set comprise a common storage element defined by an overlap of the first word set and the first slice set in a layout of the plurality of storage elements.