Storage Device Hardware Initialization Retry Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems lack a function to retry hardware initialization when it fails, leading to an error mode in storage devices due to unstable power environments in hosts.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with a hardware initialization retry function, comprising a control circuit that monitors power circuits for initialization failures and generates a retry request, and a power sequence circuit that retries hardware initialization based on the request and monitoring signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hardware initialization is attempted in unstable power environments, then the storage device can operate, but initialization failure occurs causing error mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware initialization success rateVSAvoidunstable power environment impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs preliminary monitoring of power circuit status before completing hardware initialization. By checking power stability in advance and detecting initialization failures early, the system can determine whether to retry or enter error mode, preventing premature commitment to a failed initialization state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit continuously monitors power circuit status and initialization progress, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the initialization process. When initialization failure is detected, the feedback mechanism triggers a retry request, allowing the system to adapt to unstable power conditions by attempting reinitialization rather than immediately entering error mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If hardware initialization retry function is added, then initialization success rate improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware initialization success rateVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retry control functionality is merged into the existing control circuit that already manages power circuit monitoring and initialization sequences. By integrating the retry decision logic and retry request generation within the existing control circuit architecture, the patent avoids adding separate retry control hardware, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while still providing robust retry functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12271265B2Storage device providing hardware initialization retry function and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A storage device includes a plurality of power circuits configured to operate sequentially to drive the storage device, a control circuit configured to, monitor a plurality of first monitoring signals received from the plurality of power circuits, and generate a retry request in response to detection of hardware initialization failure in at least one of the plurality of power circuits based on the plurality of first monitoring signals, and a power sequence circuit configured to, monitor a plurality of second monitoring signals received from the plurality of power circuits and the control circuit, and retry a hardware initialization operation for at least one power circuit of the plurality of power circuits based on the retry request and the plurality of second monitoring signals.