Write Booster Buffer Block Swapping for Low-Latency Flushes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory systems face inefficiencies in write booster buffer flush operations, leading to increased latency and computational resource usage when the buffer becomes full, as they wait to transfer data from the buffer to storage space, impacting the performance of write booster mode.
Innovation Solution
A flush operation is performed to create space in the write booster buffer by swapping valid blocks for invalid blocks in the storage space without waiting for data transfer, allowing for faster space allocation by reassigning blocks between different types of memory cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the memory system waits to transfer data from the write booster buffer to storage space before creating space, then data integrity is maintained, but latency increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reassigning invalid blocks in the storage space to the write booster buffer before the data transfer is complete. This allows the buffer to have space available for new writes while the data transfer process continues in the background, thus reducing latency without compromising data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by allowing the data transfer from the write booster buffer to storage space to continue uninterrupted while simultaneously reassigning invalid blocks back to the buffer. This overlapping of operations ensures that the buffer remains functional for new writes throughout the transfer process.
2Reliability
If the memory system performs a traditional flush operation waiting for data transfer, then all data is properly transferred to storage space, but computational resources are consumed and performance is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reassignment of invalid blocks to the write booster buffer before the data transfer completes. This allows the flush operation to proceed without blocking new write operations, maintaining performance while ensuring data transfer completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses invalid blocks as an intermediary resource that can be temporarily reassigned to the write booster buffer. These blocks serve as a mediator that allows the buffer to accept new data while the original data transfer process continues, thus maintaining performance without compromising data transfer completion.
3Productivity
If the write booster buffer becomes full, then data can be stored temporarily for fast write operations, but the system must wait to create space, impacting write booster mode performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reassignment of invalid blocks to the write booster buffer in advance, before the buffer becomes full. This proactive approach ensures that space is available for new writes without requiring the system to wait for data transfer to complete, thus maintaining high write speed while minimizing space allocation time.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described herein for performing a flush operation for a write booster buffer of a memory system. The flush operation may include swapping valid blocks in the write booster buffer for invalid blocks in a storage space of the memory system. After swapping the blocks, the memory system may transfer the information from a first type of blocks that were formerly assigned to the write booster buffer to a second type of blocks in the storage space. In such a flush operation, space is made available in the write booster buffer with less latency than it would take to transfer information between blocks, thereby improving the performance of the write booster mode.