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FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system for improving the utility of solid-state storage media in accordance with the present invention; |
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In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: |
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Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments. |
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FIG. 6C is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of configuration parameters for a set of multi-level storage cells of solid-state storage media in accordance with the present invention; |
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In one embodiment, the media characteristic module references one or more storage media characteristics for a set of storage cells of the solid-state storage media. The configuration parameter module, in a further embodiment, determines a configuration parameter for the set of storage cells based on the one or more storage media characteristics. In one embodiment, the storage cell configuration module configures the set of storage cells to use the determined configuration parameter. |
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A system of the present invention is also presented to manage solid-state storage media. The system may be embodied by a solid-state storage device including solid-state storage media. The system, in certain embodiments, includes a media characteristic module, a configuration parameter module, and a storage cell configuration module. |
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In one embodiment, the media characteristic module references one or more storage media characteristics for a set of storage cells of solid-state storage media. The configuration parameter module, in one embodiment, determines a configuration parameter for the set of storage cells based on the one or more storage media characteristics. In another embodiment, the storage cell configuration module configures the set of storage cells to use the determined configuration parameter. |
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An apparatus to manage solid-state storage media is provided with a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of improving the utility of solid-state storage media. These modules in the described embodiments include a media characteristic module, a configuration parameter module, a storage cell configuration module, a characteristic update module, and a configuration update module. |
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A method of the present invention is presented to manage solid-state storage media. In one embodiment, the method includes referencing one or more storage media characteristics for a set of storage cells of solid-state storage media. The method, in a further embodiment, includes determining a configuration parameter for the set of storage cells based on the one or more storage media characteristics. In another embodiment, the method includes configuring the set of storage cells to use the determined configuration parameter. |
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From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that improve the utility of solid-state storage media. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would improve the utility of solid-state storage media by determining one or more configuration parameters for the solid-state storage media to optimize the configuration parameters. |
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Thresholds or other configuration parameters for a storage cell, however, can shift over time. For example, storage cell damage, storage cell leakage, temperature, and other disturbances to storage cells can alter thresholds for storage cells, making different configuration parameters more optimal for the storage cells. The rate of leakage and other disturbances can also increase with age as storage cells are used over time. If the read voltage level or other configuration parameter of a storage cell shifts past a threshold for the storage cell, a data error occurs, as the value of the data read from the storage cell is different than the value of the data written to the storage cell. |
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Many solid-state storage devices distinguish between different binary values that a storage cell may store based on a read voltage level of the storage cell, based on a resistivity of the storage cell, or based on another configuration parameter of the storage cell. Solid-state storage devices may use one or more read voltage thresholds, resistivity thresholds, or the like to separate discrete values that may be stored in a storage cell. |
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2. Description of the Related Art |
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The subject matter disclosed herein relates to solid-state storage media and more particularly relates to configuration parameters for solid-state storage media. |
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The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. |
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In one embodiment, the system 100 includes one or more clients 114 connected to one or more computers 112 through one or more computer networks 116. A client 114 may be a host, a server, a storage controller of a SAN, a workstation, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a supercomputer, a computer cluster, a network switch, a router or appliance, a database or storage appliance, a data acquisition or data capture system, a diagnostic system, a test system, a robot, a portable electronic device, a wireless device, or the like. The computer network 116 may include the Internet, a wide area network (“WAN”), a metropolitan area network (“MAN”), a local area network (“LAN”), a token ring, a wireless network, a fiber channel network, a SAN, network attached storage (“NAS”), ESCON, or the like, or any combination of networks. The computer network 116 may also include a network from the IEEE 802 family of network technologies, such Ethernet, token ring, WiFi, WiMax, and the like. |
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The system 100 includes one or more computers 112 connected to the solid-state storage device 102. A computer 112 may be a host, a server, a storage controller of a storage area network (“SAN”), a workstation, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a supercomputer, a computer cluster, a network switch, a router or appliance, a database or storage appliance, a data acquisition or data capture system, a diagnostic system, a test system, a robot, a portable electronic device, a wireless device, or the like. In another embodiment, a computer 112 may be a client and the solid-state storage device 102 operates autonomously to service data requests sent from the computer 112. In this embodiment, the computer 112 and solid-state storage device 102 may be connected using a computer network, system bus, or other communication means suitable for connection between a computer 112 and an autonomous solid-state storage device 102. |
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A configuration parameter, in certain embodiments, may include one or more thresholds, such as a read voltage threshold, a resistivity threshold, a programming threshold, an erase threshold, a hardware driver level threshold, a storage controller level threshold, or the like. The configuration parameter may be set once during initialization of the solid-state storage media 110, dynamically with each command issued to the solid-state storage media 110, or during operation of the solid-state storage media 110 in response to triggers such as events or time intervals. The solid-state storage controller 104, in one embodiment, proactively sets one or more configuration parameters for storage cells of the solid-state storage media 110 to improve the utility of the solid-state storage media 110, to reduce errors, and the like. |
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As used herein, a configuration parameter for a set of storage cells is a parameter that is modifiable by way of an interface. The interface may comprise a publicly known interface or a proprietary interface and may include use of particular command instructions and/or use of particular parameters, register settings, driver settings, controller settings, a particular set of command instruction sequences, or other differences from regular commands (general purpose commands) or settings used to interface with or manage the set of storage cells. Configuration parameters may relate to writing to, or programming, storage cells, reading from storage cells, erasing storage cells, managing storage cells, device driver or storage controller settings for storage cells, or the like. A configuration parameter for a set of storage cells may be associated with a device driver for the solid-state storage device 102, with a solid-state storage controller 104, or the like, and may relate to how the device driver and/or solid-state storage controller 104 use, manage, and interact with the set of storage cells and/or the solid-state storage media 110. |
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The solid-state storage device 102 includes one or more solid-state storage controllers 104, each may include a write data pipeline 106 and a read data pipeline 108, and each includes solid-state storage media 110, which are described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B. In general, the one or more solid-state storage controllers 104 manage the solid-state storage media 110, including determining configuration parameters for storage cells of the solid-state storage media 110 and configuring the storage cells according to the configuration parameters. |
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