uLayer Memory Trapping via Synchronized Consolidation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory management strategies in storage devices lead to 'trapped' updates in the update layer (uLayer), reducing its capacity and efficiency due to frequent consolidation of frequently updated regions and failure to identify less frequently updated regions for consolidation, resulting in inefficient uLayer memory usage.
Innovation Solution
Implement a synchronization process between the uLayer consolidation and mBlock compaction to identify and consolidate 'trapped' uRegions by relocating valid mSets via mBlock compaction, writing updated mSets to a new destination block, and combining uLayer updates with mSets to free space in the uLayer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the current strategy selects uRegions with maximum uRuns for consolidation, then space in the uLayer is freed quickly, but trapped uRuns accumulate in uRegions with few uRuns that are never selected for consolidation
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a feedback mechanism that monitors the state of uRegions and adjusts consolidation selection accordingly. The feedback loop identifies trapped uRuns in uRegions with few uRuns and triggers consolidation operations on these previously ignored regions, ensuring complete utilization of uLayer space while maintaining fast performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the selection parameter for consolidation from purely maximizing uRuns to a more balanced metric that considers both the number of uRuns and the potential for freeing trapped space. This parameter change enables the system to identify and consolidate trapped uRuns in underutilized uRegions while still maintaining efficient performance.
2Reliability
If frequent consolidation is performed on frequently updated mSets, then updated data is written to mBlock, but less updated mSets become trapped uRegions reducing uLayer capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic consolidation scheduling that adapts to the update frequency of different mSets. Instead of uniform frequent consolidation, the system dynamically adjusts consolidation timing based on actual update patterns, preventing trapped uRegions from forming while maintaining data consistency for frequently updated mSets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces periodic scanning and consolidation operations that systematically review all uRegions including those with fewer updates. This periodic action ensures that less updated mSets are not permanently trapped, maintaining uLayer capacity while preserving data consistency through selective consolidation.
3Productivity
If uLayer consolidation and mBlock compaction are not synchronized, then the smaller uLayer becomes a bottleneck and may overflow with updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a synchronization coordinator that acts as an intermediary between uLayer consolidation and mBlock compaction processes. This mediator monitors the state of both operations and coordinates their execution to prevent uLayer overflow while avoiding unnecessary operations, managing complexity through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements preliminary checks and preparations before executing consolidation or compaction operations. The system pre-assesses the state of uLayer and mBlocks, planning synchronization in advance to prevent bottlenecks and overflow conditions while minimizing the actual operational complexity during execution.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to improving memory management. When valid mSets are relocated via mBlock compaction, the uLayer will have some updates for the mSet and consolidation of the mSet will write the mSet to mBlock once more. The disclosure herein reduces the impact of the problem that the same more frequently updated mSets uRegions are consolidated many times and written to flash where the less updated mSets uRegions become trapped uRegions in the uLayer reducing the uLayer capacity and efficacy. The disclosure provides guidance on how to synchronize the uLayer consolidations efficiently and preventing trapping of unused uRegions in the uLayer that reduces the uLayer capacity and efficiency. The synchronizing is between the uLayer consolidation to the mLayer and the mBlock compaction process such that the smaller uLayer efficacy will not be reduced due to trapped uRegions that are less frequently updated.