Unaligned Data Coalescing in Memory Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems face inefficiencies and performance degradation due to the need for read-modify-write operations when writing unaligned data, which increases wear and reduces performance, especially when dealing with data portions smaller than the page size of a memory device.
Innovation Solution
The method involves coalescing unaligned data portions by creating indicators that refer to logical addresses and pages, allowing for the writing of unaligned data from multiple write commands to a common page in a memory device, thereby eliminating the need for separate read-modify-write operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If read-modify-write operations are performed for each unaligned data write, then data can be written to memory device, but wear on memory system increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple unaligned data write operations into a single write operation by coalescing data from multiple logical addresses into one physical page write, thereby reducing the number of write operations and associated wear on the memory system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary data coalescing in a buffer before writing to the memory device, preparing the data in advance to be written in a single aligned operation rather than performing read-modify-write operations at the time of each write request
2Reliability
If read-modify-write operations are performed for each unaligned data write, then data can be written to memory device, but system performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate write operations into a single coalesced write operation, reducing the total number of operations and improving system throughput and performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous data flow by coalescing unaligned data in flight with other data, ensuring that write operations can proceed continuously without the interruptions and overhead of repeated read-modify-write cycles
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is written in host transfer sizes smaller than memory page size, then host data transfer requirements are met, but unaligned data portions require separate read-modify-write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer as an intermediary between the host and memory device, where unaligned data from multiple hosts can be coalesced into aligned pages before being written to the memory device, simplifying the write operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data organization parameters by coalescing data from multiple logical addresses into a single physical page structure, transforming unaligned data portions into aligned pages that can be written efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes methods and systems for coalescing unaligned data. One method includes receiving a first write command associated with a first unaligned portion of data, receiving a second write command associated with a second unaligned portion of data, and coalescing the first unaligned portion of data and the second unaligned portion of data, wherein coalescing includes writing the first unaligned portion of data and the second unaligned portion of data to a page in a memory device.