XOR Buffer Allocation for Active Stream Parity Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In storage systems like solid-state drives (SSDs), the limited capacity of buffer memory used for XOR calculators leads to performance degradation due to frequent switching of parity data between active and non-active streams, causing delays in writing data from new streams as the system prepares to calculate parity data.

Innovation Solution

Assigning streams of data to a buffer memory based on characteristics such as frequency, type of write operation, data availability, and memory device scheduling to optimize the utilization of XOR calculators, ensuring that parity data is generated and stored for active streams while allowing non-active streams to replace parity data when necessary, thereby reducing switching and enhancing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If buffer memory capacity is increased to store parity data for multiple streams, then write operation speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrite operation speedVSAvoidbuffer memory capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic stream assignment where the buffer memory is allocated to different data streams based on their activity status and priority. Active streams that require frequent parity calculations are assigned to the buffer, while inactive streams are excluded. This dynamic allocation allows the system to optimize write performance for active streams without permanently increasing buffer capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of buffer allocation from static to dynamic based on stream characteristics. By monitoring stream activity and adjusting buffer assignment accordingly, the system ensures that limited buffer resources are concentrated on streams that need them most, improving write operation speed without requiring increased buffer memory capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If parity data switching is reduced by assigning streams to buffer memory, then write operation efficiency is improved, but system adaptability to handle new streams decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrite operation efficiencyVSAvoidstream handling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic stream assignment mechanisms that continuously monitor stream activity and adjust buffer memory allocation accordingly. When a new stream becomes active, the system can dynamically reassign buffer resources from inactive or low-priority streams to the new active stream. This dynamic approach maintains high write operation efficiency for active streams while preserving the system's ability to adapt to new streams, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of stream characteristics and assigns streams to buffer memory based on predicted activity patterns. By evaluating streams in advance and making proactive assignments, the system minimizes parity data switching for anticipated active streams while maintaining the flexibility to handle unexpected new streams through dynamic reassignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If XOR calculator resources are distributed across multiple streams, then redundancy coverage is improved, but write operation speed decreases due to resource contention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveredundancy coverageVSAvoidwrite operation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the stream handling into active and inactive categories, with the buffer memory dedicated to active streams. The XOR calculator resources are effectively segmented through this assignment mechanism, concentrating computational resources on active streams rather than distributing them uniformly across all streams. This segmentation maintains comprehensive redundancy coverage for active streams while improving write operation speed by eliminating resource contention, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality optimization by providing enhanced XOR calculator resource allocation specifically to active streams that require it, rather than uniform distribution. The buffer memory assignment creates localized high-performance processing zones for active streams, ensuring they receive sufficient computational resources for timely parity calculation while maintaining overall system redundancy coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11422883B2Generating parity data based on a characteristic of a stream of data
Publication Date: 2022.08.23 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US11422883B2 patent drawing
  • US11422883B2 patent drawing
  • US11422883B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A processing device in a memory sub-system identifies a stream of data that is associated with an exclusive-or (XOR) calculator component generating first parity data for data from the stream of data that is stored in a memory sub-system. The processing device further receives one or more characteristics associated with the stream of data, and assigns the stream of data to a buffer memory of the XOR calculator component based on the received one or more characteristics.