Storage Device Job Manager Circuit Decouples Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized architecture in electronic devices limits performance and efficiency due to reliance on a specific processor, making it unsuitable for high-performance and high-efficiency storage devices that require rapid data processing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hardware-automated architecture in storage devices, where a dedicated hardware circuit manages simple jobs without processor intervention, allowing the processor to focus on more complex tasks only when necessary, thus decoupling the performance of the storage device from the processor's capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized architecture with processor control is used, then the storage device can handle complex jobs, but the performance and efficiency are limited by the processor's capabilities and throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is segmented into a processor for complex jobs and a dedicated hardware circuit (job manager circuit) for simple jobs. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific task types, with the hardware circuit handling routine operations like read/write commands and the processor handling complex management tasks, thereby improving overall system performance while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of operation
If the processor manages all jobs, then comprehensive control is achieved, but power consumption and heat emission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the function of managing simple jobs from the processor and places it in a dedicated hardware circuit. This extraction reduces the processor's workload and allows it to enter low-power states during simple operations, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining comprehensive control through the processor's ability to intervene when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The job manager circuit operates autonomously to manage simple jobs without requiring processor intervention. This self-service capability allows the circuit to handle routine operations independently, reducing the processor's energy consumption while ensuring comprehensive control is available when the processor needs to intervene in complex scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If the processor processes all jobs, then centralized control is maintained, but buffer memory bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments job processing between the processor and job manager circuit, where the hardware circuit handles simple jobs independently. This segmentation reduces the volume of data and commands that need to pass through the buffer memory, thereby reducing bandwidth usage while maintaining centralized control architecture.
4Productivity
If a dedicated hardware circuit manages simple jobs, then performance and efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The job manager circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle various types of simple jobs (read commands, write commands, etc.) through a unified architecture. This universality allows the hardware circuit to manage multiple functions efficiently, improving performance while minimizing the increase in device complexity through standardized design patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller. The controller includes a job manager circuit and a processor. The job manager circuit manages a first-type job associated with the nonvolatile memory, and the processor processes a second-type job associated with the nonvolatile memory. The job manager circuit manages the first-type job without intervention of the processor. The processor provides a management command to the job manager circuit in response to a notification received from the job manager circuit, such that the second-type job is processed.