UFS Memory Commands with Extension Header Segments for Multiple Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing UFS technology is limited by the defined length of commands, which restricts the amount of information that can be carried, leading to increased command interaction overheads and reduced performance when handling complex operations, especially for large data storage operations.
Innovation Solution
Extending the command length to include an extension header segment (EHS) within the UPIU frame, allowing multiple memory operations to be combined into a single command, reducing the number of interactions required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the command length is extended to include EHS, then the information carrying capacity is improved, but the command structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The command structure is segmented into a standard UPIU frame header (32 bytes) and an optional Extension Header Segment (EHS). This segmentation allows the command to carry additional information (physical addresses, logical addresses, operation types) without fundamentally changing the existing UPIU protocol structure, thus improving information carrying capacity while maintaining structural clarity through defined segments.
2Loss of time
If multiple memory operations are combined into a single command, then the command interaction overhead is reduced, but the command processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple memory operations (read, write, erase) are merged into a single command by including multiple sets of physical addresses and logical addresses within the EHS. Each set corresponds to a specific memory operation, allowing the host controller to issue one command that triggers multiple operations in the device controller, thereby reducing command interaction overhead while the device controller handles the increased processing complexity internally.
3Device complexity
If the command length is limited as in current UFS protocol, then the command structure simplicity is maintained, but the performance for complex operations cannot be fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The command structure is extended by adding a new dimension - the Extension Header Segment (EHS) - which provides additional fields for physical addresses, logical addresses, and operation types. This dimensional extension allows the command to carry sufficient information for complex memory operations without complicating the basic UPIU frame structure, thus maintaining simplicity at the protocol level while enabling high performance for complex operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for performing a memory operation and an apparatus are provided. The method for performing a memory operation includes: generating an operation command, where the operation command includes a universal flash storage protocol information unit UPIU frame header and an extension header segment EHS, where the EHS frame header includes a total length field of the EHS, the total length field of the EHS indicates that a length of the EHS is not 0, and the EHS indicates storage addresses respectively corresponding to a plurality of EHS operation commands; and sending the operation command to a universal flash storage UFS device controller. Command interactions can be reduced, overall command overheads can be reduced, and memory operation efficiency can be improved.