Data Storage Power Management Module for Backup Battery Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage devices face challenges in data security during power failures, with existing backup power supplies being insufficient to ensure data integrity and CPU workload being high due to parity check computations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power management module that switches to a backup battery unit to power only the volatile memory and using a programmable apparatus like a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to offload parity check computations from the CPU, thereby extending data preservation time and reducing CPU workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup power supply is used to maintain data during power failures, then data security is improved, but the power supply complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power sources: a main power supply for normal operation and a backup battery unit for power failure scenarios. The power management module selectively activates the appropriate power source based on system state, managing complexity through modular segmentation rather than a monolithic power system.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup battery unit is pre-charged and ready before power failure occurs. The power management module continuously monitors power supply status and pre-configures the backup power path, ensuring immediate activation when needed without adding complex real-time decision logic during actual power failures.
2Reliability
If the CPU performs parity check computations, then data integrity is ensured, but CPU workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parity check computation function is extracted from the CPU and implemented as a dedicated hardware module. This separate module handles all parity check computations independently, removing the computational burden from the CPU while ensuring data integrity through dedicated hardware enforcement of parity checks.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated parity check module acts as an intermediary between data storage operations and the CPU. This intermediate hardware component performs parity calculations and validations, mediating between raw data operations and CPU processing to protect data integrity without burdening the main processor.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures data preservation for up to 24-72 hours during power failures and significantly reduces CPU workload by shifting parity check computations to an FPGA, enhancing data security and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a power management module configured to detect power failure of a power supply and switch to a backup battery unit in the data storage device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for a data storage device, an adapter, an array controller, a data storage device, and a relevant method. The apparatus for the data storage device comprises: a power management module configured to detect power-off of a power supply and to switch to a backup battery unit in the data storage device in response to detecting the power supply. The apparatus is configured to cause the backup battery unit to supply power only to the volatile memory in the data storage device. By using a solution according to the present disclosure, for example, preserving time for data may be prolonged in the case of power-off.