Storage Read Buffering for Repeated Address Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage devices experience increased latency due to repeated read operations from the same address, which current technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a storage device with a buffer memory that differentiates between fast and normal read operations, utilizing a fast read buffer for frequently accessed data and a normal read buffer for less frequent data, and dynamically adjusting buffer sizes based on read operation frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storage device repeatedly reads data from the same address in non-volatile memory, then the data is accurately provided to the host device, but the read latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage controller performs preliminary actions by detecting repeated read commands for the same address and proactively copying the data to a buffer memory before the host device requests it again. This advance preparation eliminates the need to repeatedly access non-volatile memory, thereby reducing read latency while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A buffer memory is introduced as an intermediary between the non-volatile memory and the host device. When data is frequently requested, it is copied to the buffer memory, which serves as a fast-access intermediate storage. This mediator allows the host device to retrieve data quickly without directly accessing the slower non-volatile memory, thus resolving the latency issue while preserving data integrity.
2Device complexity
If the storage device uses a single buffer memory for all read operations, then the structure is simple, but frequently accessed data cannot be prioritized for faster retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer memory is segmented into multiple regions: a first buffer region for storing frequently accessed data and a second buffer region for other data. This segmentation allows the storage controller to prioritize frequently accessed data in the first region, enabling faster retrieval when needed, while maintaining a relatively simple overall buffer structure without requiring completely separate buffer memories.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage device (120) includes a non-volatile memory (123), a buffer memory (122), and a storage controller (121). The controller (121) receives first host data indicating a first logical block address range of the non-volatile memory (123) from a host device (110), reads first memory data from the non-volatile memory (123) using the first logical block address range, and stores the first memory data in the buffer memory (122). The storage controller (121) further receives a read command and a read address from the host device (110), determines whether the read address is within the first logical block address range, reads, in response to the read address being determined as within the first logical block address range and the read command, the first memory data from the buffer memory (122), without accessing the non-volatile memory (123), and outputs the first memory data from the buffer memory (122) to the host device (110).