Storage Device Temperature Range Extension via SLC Data Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile storage devices, particularly MLC cells, have limited operating temperature ranges, leading to performance issues due to temperature dependence, which requires thermal throttling or pre-heating, restricting their operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves folding SLC data into MLC data within non-volatile memory cells while operating outside a designated temperature range, followed by data integrity checks, allowing MLC cells to operate at extended temperature ranges without pre-heating and reducing the need for thermal throttling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If MLC cells are used for storage, then storage capacity is improved, but operating temperature range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is segmented into multiple memory pools with different cell types (SLC, MLC, TLC, QLC). Each pool handles different temperature ranges and performance requirements, allowing the system to maintain high capacity while operating across extended temperature ranges by routing operations to appropriate pools.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters based on temperature conditions. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the system transitions from using MLC cells to using SLC cells for new data writes, and adjusts read operations accordingly, thereby extending the effective operating temperature range while maintaining capacity utilization.
2Reliability
If thermal throttling is applied to manage temperature, then device reliability is improved, but performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time temperature monitoring. Instead of static thermal throttling, the system actively transitions between different memory pool configurations and operation types (read-intensive vs. write-intensive) to maintain reliability while minimizing performance impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer of memory pool management that mediates between temperature constraints and performance requirements. By using SLC pools as intermediaries for high-temperature operations and MLC/TLC/QCL pools for normal operations, the system maintains reliability without severe performance degradation.
3Reliability
If pre-heating is applied before operation, then data integrity is improved, but time consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning data in SLC memory pools before critical operations. SLC cells are used to store data that requires high integrity, and this data is then moved to or accessed from MLC/TLC/QLC pools as needed, ensuring data integrity without requiring pre-heating of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of critical data in SLC memory pools, which have better temperature tolerance. This copying mechanism allows the system to maintain data integrity during temperature variations without needing to pre-heat the device, as the SLC copies serve as reliable backups that can be accessed or used directly.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device having a wide range of operating temperatures is disclosed. Techniques disclosed herein may be used to operate MLC cells at higher temperatures before resorting to thermal throttling. Techniques disclosed herein may be used to operate MLC cells at lower temperatures without needing to pre-heat the storage device. SLC data stored in a first group of memory cells is folded to MLC data stored in a second group of memory cells while an operating temperature is outside a first temperature range. After the operating temperature is within a second temperature range, the data integrity of the MLC data is checked. The SLC data in the first group is folded to MLC data in a third group of memory cells responsive to the MLC data in the second group failing the data integrity check. The foregoing permits the storage device to increase its range in operating temperatures.