Virtual Write Buffer Control for Nonvolatile Memory Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face inefficiencies in managing write data, particularly in non-volatile memory systems like SSDs, where data needs to be temporarily stored in volatile memory before being written to non-volatile memory, leading to challenges in data management and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and a controller that manages blocks in a writable state, uses a virtual write buffer to temporarily store write data, and efficiently transfers data to non-volatile memory while optimizing block usage through lists and lists dissociation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If write data is temporarily stored in volatile memory before being written to non-volatile memory, then data transfer and storage efficiency is improved, but memory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual write buffer as an intermediary data structure that manages the temporary storage of write data in volatile memory. This virtual buffer acts as a mediator between the host interface and the non-volatile memory, organizing write data into manageable units with associated metadata (source addresses, destination addresses, status flags) that simplifies the coordination and tracking of data transfer operations across different memory components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments write data into discrete units that are managed individually through the virtual write buffer. Each segment of write data is associated with specific metadata including source address, destination address, and status information. This segmentation allows the system to process and track multiple independent data units simultaneously, improving overall data transfer efficiency while maintaining organized memory management through structured data units.
2Productivity
If blocks are managed in writable state with associated lists, then block utilization efficiency is improved, but data management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual write buffer structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks writable blocks, manages write data segments, stores source and destination address mappings, and maintains status information for data transfer operations. This multi-functional data structure eliminates the need for separate management mechanisms for each function, reducing overall management overhead while improving block utilization efficiency through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state parameters of blocks by introducing a writable state designation and associated metadata parameters (source address, destination address, status flags). These parameter changes enable dynamic tracking and management of block states, allowing the system to efficiently identify and utilize writable blocks while maintaining organized control through structured parameter management in the virtual write buffer.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to set a block group of the nonvolatile memory to be in a writable state and generate in the volatile memory a list associated with the block group. The controller is configured to, with respect to a write command, add an entry to the list, which includes a first address of a host and a second address of the volatile memory, obtain the write data from the first address of the host and store the write data in the second address of the volatile memory, write the write data stored at the second address of the volatile memory into the block group, and upon the block group being fully written, set the block group to be in a non-writable state and dissociate the list from the block group.