UFS PHY Power Mode Control During Internal Operation Bottlenecks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional UFS systems fail to recognize the internal operation status of the UFS device, leading to unnecessary power consumption due to maintaining high-speed modes even when valid signal transmission/reception is not possible.

Innovation Solution

The UFS device actively monitors its internal operation status and autonomously changes the power mode of the reception and transmission channels based on this status, reducing power consumption by transitioning to low-speed modes when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the UFS device maintains high-speed mode continuously, then the operating speed is improved, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily when internal operations prevent valid signal transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power mode changeable between high-speed and low-speed modes based on the internal operation status. The UFS device dynamically adjusts its operating mode from a fixed high-speed configuration to a flexible, status-dependent configuration, allowing it to switch between high-performance and power-saving states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of power mode between high-speed and low-speed based on the internal operation status. When the write buffer is full or during garbage collection, the system transitions to low-speed mode to reduce power consumption. When the write buffer is available, it switches back to high-speed mode for optimal performance, thus optimizing the trade-off between speed and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the UFS device switches to low-speed mode during internal operations, then the power consumption is reduced, but the signal transmission speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal transmission speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the ability to switch between high-speed and low-speed modes based on operational needs. The system continuously monitors the internal operation status and adjusts the power mode accordingly, ensuring that high-speed transmission is available when needed (when write buffer is available) while saving power during internal operations (when write buffer is full or during garbage collection).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4668062A1Universal flash storage device and system and operation methods of the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is an operation method of a universal flash storage (UFS) device which communicates with a UFS host through a device physical layer. The operation method includes monitoring an internal operation status, changing a power mode of the device physical layer to a low-speed mode, based on the internal operation status, transmitting a first power mode change request to the UFS host, receiving a first power mode change confirmation from the UFS host, and operating based on the low-speed mode with the UFS host through the device physical layer, in response to the first power mode change confirmation.