Sub-Block Erasing in Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disproportionate writing and erasing of data in storage devices, where data can be written in smaller units than blocks but only erased in block-sized units, leads to increased erasure times and performance issues due to the need to erase each sub-block individually.
Innovation Solution
Configuring blocks as sub-blocks and checking the status of related sub-blocks to erase them collectively when a sub-block is marked for erasure, reducing the overall erase time by expanding the erasure command to cover all available related sub-blocks within the original block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If blocks are configured to operate as sub-blocks that can be erased in smaller units, then writing flexibility is improved, but overall erasure time increases due to individual sub-block erasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sub-block erasure operations into a single collective erasure operation. When a erase command is received for one sub-block, the system identifies and erases all related unallocated sub-blocks within the same block simultaneously, converting multiple individual operations into one unified operation that restores erasure time to non-sub-block levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of related sub-blocks that are ready for erasure. By checking the allocation status of sub-blocks in advance and grouping those that are unallocated, the system prepares the erasure operation beforehand, allowing multiple sub-blocks to be erased in a single operation rather than sequentially.
2Manufacturing precision
If each sub-block is erased individually, then precision in data management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by checking the allocation status of related sub-blocks before executing erasure operations. This status check provides information about which sub-blocks are ready for erasure, allowing the system to make intelligent decisions about whether to proceed with individual or collective erasure, thereby managing complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Storage devices contain a memory array that comprises memory devices for storing data. These memory devices can be arranged in a configuration of blocks that group a number of memory devices together. Often, blocks are the smallest unit that can be erased, however various storage devices can divide blocks into sub-blocks which can operate as unique blocks themselves. These sub-blocks can be seen as regular blocks to the storage device or host computer. However, the time needed to erase these increased number of operational sub-blocks decreases overall performance as more erase time is needed. Devices and methods described herein decrease overall erase times within a sub-block memory array by checking the status of related sub-blocks before processing an erase request for a particular sub-block. Each of the related sub-blocks can be erased alongside the particular sub-block if the status of the related sub-blocks provides for erasure without losing host data.