Zoned Storage Controller Managing Memory Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile memory devices face reduced lifetime and decreased available storage capacity due to frequent garbage collection operations and over provisioning requirements, which are exacerbated by random access storage methods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a storage controller that manages data in zones, using a zoned namespace standard to assign high-reliability memory blocks to active zones and high-capacity memory blocks to full zones, thereby reducing garbage collection load and optimizing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If random access storage method is used, then data storage flexibility is improved, but garbage collection operations become frequent causing decreased device lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is divided into multiple zones (first zone, second zone, etc.) with each zone containing multiple memory blocks. The controller manages garbage collection at the zone level rather than device level, segmenting the workload to reduce frequent full-device garbage collection operations and extend device lifetime while maintaining storage flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones are assigned different memory block types based on local requirements. High-reliability memory blocks are assigned to zones requiring frequent writes, while high-capacity memory blocks are assigned to zones with stable data. This local optimization reduces unnecessary garbage collection operations across the entire device.
2Reliability
If over provisioning region is increased for garbage collection and wear leveling, then device reliability is improved, but available storage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different memory block types to different zones based on their specific functional requirements. This local quality approach allows the system to optimize both reliability and storage capacity without requiring a uniform over-provisioning across the entire device, thereby increasing available storage capacity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of memory block assignment based on zone requirements. By dynamically assigning memory blocks of different characteristics (reliability vs. capacity) to different zones, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and available storage capacity.
3Reliability
If high-reliability memory blocks are assigned to all zones, then data safety is improved, but storage capacity utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning high-reliability memory blocks only to zones that require frequent writes and high data safety, while assigning high-capacity memory blocks to zones with stable data. This localized approach optimizes both data safety and storage capacity utilization without uniformly applying high-reliability blocks across all zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the memory block assignment parameter based on zone-specific characteristics. By adjusting which type of memory block is assigned to which zone based on write frequency and data stability parameters, the system achieves optimal balance between data safety and storage capacity utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an operating method of a storage controller which communicates with a host and a non-volatile memory device. The method includes receiving a first request indicating a first zone of a plurality of zones from the host, setting a state of the first zone to an active state in response to the first request, assigning a first memory block of a plurality of memory blocks of the non-volatile memory device to the first zone updated to the active state, and storing user data corresponding to the first request in the first memory block. The first memory block is higher in reliability than a second memory block assigned to a second zone having a non-active state from among the plurality of zones, and the storage controller supports a zoned namespace (ZNS) standard of a NVM express.