Toggle-Mode Flash Interfaces for Data Integrity Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flash storage devices lack mechanisms for data integrity checking at the interface between the controller and dies, leading to potential data loss or corruption during write and read operations, which are undetected until later stages, affecting data retention and customer data loss.
Innovation Solution
Repurpose the DBI pin to carry data integrity information, such as CRC bits, during data transfers to check for errors on the TM interface, enabling simultaneous transfer of data and integrity information on separate paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data integrity checking is implemented at the interface between controller and dies, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DBI pin is repurposed to serve dual functions: transmitting data integrity information (such as CRC bits) and maintaining its original functionality. This allows the storage device to implement data integrity checking without adding dedicated separate pins or interfaces, thereby improving reliability while minimizing increases in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Data integrity information acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the data transmission path and error detection requirements. By introducing CRC bits as an intermediary verification mechanism transmitted through the DBI pin, the system can detect errors without requiring fundamental changes to the existing data path architecture
2Loss of time
If data integrity information is transferred contemporaneously with data on separate paths, then error detection speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Data integrity information is generated and transferred contemporaneously with the data itself, maintaining continuous verification throughout the data transfer process. This eliminates gaps where errors could occur without detection, reducing error detection latency while utilizing existing continuous data path infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
Data integrity information (CRC bits) is generated in advance during the data preparation phase and transferred alongside the data before the write operation completes. This preliminary generation and transfer of verification information enables immediate error detection upon receipt, reducing the time loss associated with post-transfer verification
3Reliability
If DBI pin is repurposed to carry data integrity information, then data integrity checking capability is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The DBI pin's functionality is made dynamic rather than static. The pin can adapt its role based on operational context, serving as a data integrity information carrier when needed while potentially maintaining or switching to its original functionality in other scenarios. This dynamic repurposing improves data integrity checking capability while preserving adaptability through flexible functional switching
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a storage device including a memory and a controller are provided, which allow for error detection or data integrity checking during data transfer of write operations and read operations. The controller may be configured to generate data integrity information based on at least one data byte to be written to the memory, and to transfer the at least one data byte contemporaneously with the data integrity information on separate data paths to the memory. The controller may be configured to select between transferring data bus inversion information or the data integrity information based on whether a data integrity protection mode is active between the memory and the controller. The memory may be configured to receive the at least one data byte and the data integrity information from the controller, and detect whether an error exists in the at least one data byte based on the data integrity information.