UFS Host Device Data Transfer Buffer Credit Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Universal Flash Storage (UFS) system experiences increased power consumption and time consumption due to delayed and pessimistic credit information updates during data transfer between the UFS host and device, leading to inefficient buffer space management.
Innovation Solution
The UFS device transfers data to the host without checking for available credit information, and the UFS host transfers data based on pre-defined maximum buffer size information from the device, eliminating the need for immediate credit updates and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UFS device checks for available credit information before transferring data to the host, then buffer overflow is prevented, but data transfer speed decreases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the credit information checking mechanism from the data transfer path. Instead of checking credit information before each data transfer, the system transfers data continuously and updates credit information separately, removing the bottleneck from the critical data transfer path while maintaining buffer overflow prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring buffer sizes and credit values. The host and device agree on buffer capacities in advance, allowing data transfer to proceed without real-time credit verification, while still maintaining reliability through pre-established buffer management parameters
2Quantity of substance
If the UFS device waits for credit information updates from the host before transferring more data, then buffer space management is optimized, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data transfer by eliminating the wait-for-credit-update cycle. Data transfer operations continue uninterrupted while credit information is updated in the background, maintaining optimal buffer utilization without introducing delays in the data path
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary credit update mechanism that operates independently from the data transfer flow. Credit information acts as a mediator that updates buffer status without blocking the continuous data transfer between host and device
3Reliability
If the UFS host blocks data transmission due to delayed credit information updates, then data integrity is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic credit information updates that adapt to the actual buffer status and data transfer rate. Instead of blocking transmissions, the system dynamically adjusts credit values to match real-time buffer availability, maintaining data integrity while avoiding unnecessary transmission delays and power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A method disclosed herein includes transferring, by a Universal Flash Storage (UFS) device, data to a UFS host without checking for first credit information at the UFS host on initiating a read command by the UFS host. The first credit information includes information about an available size of a host UFS Interconnect (UIC) Reception (Rx) buffer of a host UIC module. The method includes transferring, by the UFS host, data to the UFS device based on second credit information received from the UFS device on initiating a write command by the UFS host. The second credit information includes information about a size of a device UIC Rx buffer of a device UIC module, wherein the size of the device UIC Rx buffer is associated with a maximum size defined by a UFS system.