Storage Controller Firmware Switching for Temperature-Stable Booting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Storage devices experience performance deterioration due to varying usage environments such as high or low temperatures, high or low pressures, which affect the reliability and efficiency of their operations.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with a controller that selects and reads different firmware based on temperature information to operate in specific modes, prioritizing either performance or stability depending on the environment, thereby maintaining reliability and preventing performance deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the storage device operates in a single mode regardless of temperature, then the device structure remains simple, but the operating performance deteriorates in extreme temperature environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating performanceVSAvoidcontroller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically switches between first and second firmware based on detected temperature conditions. The booting controller reads temperature information and selectively loads appropriate firmware, enabling the storage device to adapt its operating mode to environmental conditions rather than being fixed in a single mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by loading different firmware versions optimized for specific temperature ranges. The first firmware is optimized for normal temperature operation while the second firmware is optimized for extreme temperature conditions, allowing performance optimization through parameter adjustment based on environmental parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the storage device uses temperature-based firmware selection, then reliability in varying environments improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple firmware versions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating performanceVSAvoidfirmware management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware is segmented into distinct versions (first firmware and second firmware) stored in separate firmware storage blocks, each optimized for specific temperature ranges. This segmentation allows the system to select the appropriate firmware segment based on environmental conditions without requiring a single complex firmware that handles all scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The booting controller acts as an intermediary that detects temperature conditions and selectively loads the appropriate firmware version. This intermediary component manages the complexity of having multiple firmware versions by providing a simple decision-making mechanism based on temperature thresholds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the controller processes external commands during background operations in extreme temperatures, then the processing delay time increases, but maintaining responsiveness is important

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation stabilityVSAvoidprocessing delay time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically adjusts its operational priorities based on temperature conditions. In extreme temperatures, the system prioritizes background operations that maintain reliability (such as error checking and data integrity) over external command processing, automatically adjusting the timing and scheduling of operations to balance responsiveness with stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4647921A1Controller and storage device
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SK HYNIX INC
  • EP4647921A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4647921A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4647921A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, booting may be performed using different firmware based on the usage environment information of a storage device, and control may be performed by differently setting a processing delay time for the host device's commands and the operation priority for the reliability or stability of the storage device, thereby maintaining the operational stability of the storage device and preventing or minimizing the degradation of operating performance depending on the usage environment.